The Eagles' offense was a major issue for the majority of the season last year and was the main reason the team struggled on their way to 9-7.
Here is a look at some of the options they have in free agency at running back, a position where Miles Sanders and Boston Scott will play key roles next season, but a veteran is needed if Jordan Howard leaves in free agency.
Melvin Gordon, Los Angeles Chargers: The idea of the Eagles bringing in Melvin Gordon might seem crazy, considering the presence of both Sanders and Scott on the roster. The Eagles tried to trade for Gordon prior to the start of the 2019 season, however, and have never been a team that likes to give one running back the majority of the touches. Gordon had a disappointing 2019 season and his value is much lower than it was one year ago. Gordon would be a great fit on the Eagles, as he is not only a dangerous runner but excellent out of the backfield as a receiver. A backfield of Sanders and Gordon would be one of the top duos in the league.
The question is whether Gordon will have better offers in better situations. If Gordon can go somewhere and be the top back, he is going to take that chance and try to build back up his value. He will get plenty of touches in Philadelphia, but he wouldn't be the starter. Gordon to the Eagles likely only happens if he doesn't find the kind of market he hoped for in free agency.
LeSean McCoy, Kansas City Chiefs: McCoy is going to be a free agent, and until he retires, the idea of a potential reunion with the Eagles will be on the table. The Eagles passed on McCoy at the beginning of the 2019 season when the Buffalo Bills released him, but that was when they had Jordan Howard on the roster. Howard is set to become a free agent, and after missing half of the season with a shoulder injury, it is no guarantee he is back. McCoy's 2019 season in Kansas City wasn't great, but he did average 4.6 yards-per-carry on 101 attempts, his best average since 2011. If McCoy can convince the Eagles he will come in and be happy as Sanders' backup, and be a good presence in the locker room, a reunion is possible. Owner Jeffrey Lurie is a big fan of McCoy, and hasn't allowed any player to wear No. 25 since McCoy left in 2015. The chances of McCoy being back with the Eagles next season are higher than you might think.
DeAndre Washington, Oakland Raiders: Washington would make sense as a role player, firmly behind both Sanders and Scott. The 26-year old running back averaged 4.7 yards on 144 touches last season in Oakland, the best season of his career. Washington's ability to make plays out of the backfield as a receiver will likely be very appealing to the Eagles, as he averaged 8.1 yards-per-catch last season on 36 catches. Washington could also potentially fill in as a kick returner, as he had five returns last season, but those returns went for an unimpressive total of 86 yards.
Jalen Richard, Oakland Raiders: It is unlikely the Raiders will keep both Washington and Richard, so if Washington ends up back in Oakland, Richard could be an intriguing option. Richard averaging 9.0 yards-per-catch last season with the Raiders, and 6.2 yards overall on his 75 touches. To put that in perspective, Scott averaged 5.3 yards-per-touch on 53 touches last season. A career backup, Richard has never carried the ball more than 100 times in his career and has topped 100 total touches just twice in four seasons. Still just 26-years old, with experience both returning kicks and punts, Richard would be an ideal backup to the duo of Sanders and Scott.
Carlos Hyde, Cleveland Browns: Eagles fans have had their eyes on Hyde for some time, but the last two seasons of his career have certainly not gone as planned. After spending the first four seasons in San Francisco, and playing at a high level, Hyde has been on three teams in the last two seasons and struggled at each stop. Hyde averaged only 4.2 yards-per-catch out of the backfield in Houston last season, and 4.4 yards-per-carry on 245 rushing attempts. Hyde also had an issue holding onto the ball with four fumbles. So why would the Eagles have interest? Putting Hyde behind one of the best offensive lines in football, after playing behind one of the worst, could be the boost he needs to get back to the player he was the first four seasons of his career. Hyde's value is at an all-time low, and for the Eagles, he would be a quality veteran backup that would be ready to step into a full-time role if needed.
Chris Thompson, Washington Redskins: The Eagles are very familiar with Thompson, as the veteran backup has more attempts against the Eagles than he does any other team in his career. Thompson has always been an issue for the Eagles out of the backfield, as he has three receiving touchdowns against them on 35 catches, averaging 7.83 yards-per-catch. Despite being in the league for seven seasons, Thompson only has 250 total carries in his career and 462 total touches overall. Thompson would be able to do a lot of the same things that the Eagles ask Sanders and Scott to do, a key for any backup the Eagles bring in.
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
