The Philadelphia Eagles and Howie Roseman might have built the deepest and most talented roster across the league, and are well-positioned to defend the franchise’s second Super Bowl championship.
In addition to adding starting players throughout the first three rounds of the past three NFL Drafts, including linebacker Nakobe Dean, edge rusher Nolan Smith, defensive tackle Jalen Carter, cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper Dejean, along with aggressively mining premier talent at key positions such as adding Saquon Barkley and Zack Baun last offseason, the Eagles have consistently retained their core homegrown players well into their second contracts.
However, after Kenneth Gainwell departed via free agency, signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Eagles replaced the shifty running back with former Green Bay Packers plodder A.J. Dillon.
Was Signing A.J. Dillon the Philadelphia Eagles’ Worst Free Agency Move?
Pro Football Focus’ Mason Cameron put together a list of the best and worst moves made by each team this offseason, so far in free agency, including questioning the upside of the Eagles signing Dillon to a three-year contract with $30 million guaranteed.
“After suffering a neck injury that caused him to miss the entirety of 2024,” Cameron writes for PFF. “Dillon returns to action with the reigning Super Bowl champs. While the deal itself isn’t enough to cause concern, Dillon’s skill set does have a cascading effect on how the offense functions, likely moving Will Shipley into a more prominent pass-catching role.”
While panning a signing of a backup running back, who might wind up being the Eagles’ No. 3 back, behind Barkley and Will Shipley, speaks volumes about the strength and depth of the Eagles’ roster and the few needs that needed addressed via free agency, it is fair to wonder what exactly Dillon’s role will be in Philadelphia.
There’s a chance that Dillon might simply wind up being the Eagles’ short-yardage battering ram and perhaps a response to the league’s attempt of banning the “tush-push” and while his effectiveness remains to be seen, Dillon figures to be little more than a role player in an offense built around Barkley’s versatility and explosiveness.
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1 Comment
Here’s my thought on Dillon’s fit. This is based on the Eagles run centric offense and how that wore teams down leading to most of Barkley’s late game explosive runs. Imagine using the battering ram that Dillon is to give Barkley fewer reps in the first half while still wearing down the defense, thereby having a more rested Barkley to take over (again but more so) in the second half. He might crack 2000 again with fewer carries, especially if Dillon helps wear down the defense early (looking at Dillon stats he did average a little over 4 yds/carry and could average more running behind the Eagles OL.)