The Eagles have some very interesting decisions to make at running back, both in how many they keep on the roster, and how they distribute the touches amongst the ones they do.
Here is a look at how the Eagles have distributed the touches among the running backs so far in training camp, and a projection of how each might be used when the regular season begins.
** Note: These numbers only includes touches with the first/second team offense **
Jordan Howard
Total touches: 20 (18 runs, 2 catches)
Analysis: Howard started camp as the clear-cut No. 1 running back. He is the only running back not to take any reps with the second team, and all of 18 carries he has gotten have been with the starting offense. His hold on the No. 1 spot, however, might be slipping. Howard was almost doubling Miles Sanders in carries in the first week of camp, but now holds just an 18-13 edge over the rookie in carries with the first-team offense. In fact, in the most recent practice, Sanders got five carries with the starters while Howard got three.
The reason Sanders might be getting more reps now is because of the poor job Howard has done in the passing game. The Eagles have thrown the ball to Howard five times so far in training camp, and just two have been completed. That is a terrible percentage when you consider most of the passes are check downs.
There is a strong chance that when the season begins Howard is the starter and will lead this team in carries. Considering he has only one year left on his deal, the Eagles will likely try to get the most they can out of him this season and not worry about the 2020 season. Still, with how well Sanders has played, Howard's hold on the No. 1 spot might be slipping.
Miles Sanders
Total touches: 20 (17 runs, 3 catches)
Analysis: Sanders has played great recently after a slow start to camp. As mentioned above, he is gaining ground on Howard in touches with the first team offense, and has tied the veteran for total touches so far in camp. Although not too much should be read into it, the Eagles have been going to Sanders more recently near the goal line, as he had a touchdown from about 10-yards out in Sunday's practice, and brought one in from about four-yards out last week in a live 11-on-11 drill.
The Eagles also have to be fairly happy with what they have seen so far from Sanders in the passing game, as he has caught 3-of-the-4 passes they have thrown his way. Ultimately the Eagles want to make him a dual-threat back, so it wouldn't be surprising if they try to get him more involved in the passing game as the season goes on.
Darren Sproles
Total touches: 17 (9 runs, 8 catches)
Analysis: Sproles has played the exact role many expected coming into camp. He has been the third running back, but has definitely gotten his fair-share of touches with the starters, seeing an even split between carries and runs. When the regular season begins it seems like the Eagles' plan with Sproles will be to get him four-to-five touches a game, with that number going up in certain weeks where they want to really get the running back involved in the passing game. Sproles has gotten the most targets from Wentz so far among the top three running backs.
Wendell Smallwood
Total touches: 29 (18 runs, 11 catches)
Analysis: Either the Eagles are just running Smallwood into the ground in training camp or they are really interested in keeping him around. That is the only way to explain the large volume of touches Smallwood has gotten, both with the first-and-second team offense. Fans might not want to hear it, but Smallwood has been outstanding in camp so far. While Sanders adjusts to life in the NFL, Smallwood might be the Eagles' best dual-threat running back. He has caught all 11 passes thrown his way, and has looked good carrying the ball, something he has done more than any other running back other than Josh Adams. The Eagles' coaches trust Smallwood, and unless Clement already has his roster spot locked up and training camp doesn't matter, it seems like he is the safer option at this point to keep on the 53-man roster.
Corey Clement
Total touches: 0 (0 runs, 0 catches)
Analysis: Clement has not been taking part in team drills so far in camp, although it seems like he might be very close to getting in on the action. He will have a lot to prove when he does. Clement is coming off of a disastrous 2018 season, one in which he suffered two injuries and didn't play great when he was healthy. There is no denying the potential he showed in 2017, however, especially in Super Bowl LII. It is hard to imagine the Eagles will go from making him a huge part of the gameplan in the Super Bowl to cutting him one year later, but it shouldn't be ruled out. The preseason games will be huge for Clement.
Josh Adams
Total touches: 28 (19 runs, 9 catches)
Analysis: Adams has played well so far in training camp, but has been working exclusively with the backups. The second-year player hasn't gotten a single rep with the first-team offense yet, instead being used as the workhorse with the second-team. Adams getting so many touches over guys like Boston Scott and Donnel Pumphrey shows there is a clear divide between him and the bottom of the depth chart. It will be interesting to see what happens when Clement returns to team drills. Adams' roster spot isn't locked up, but the Eagles have to like what they have seen so far from him, as he has run the ball hard and been surprisingly impressive in the passing game, catching all nine of the passes thrown his way.
Boston Scott
Total touches: 5 (1 run, 4 catches)
Analysis: Scott has gone from one of the most talked about running backs on the roster during the offseason to a forgotten man during training camp. The signing of Darren Sproles didn't help Scott's chances of making the team. The fact Smallwood has 24 more touches than him is also a sign the Eagles might not be serious about keeping Scott. At this point Scott is going to need to show he can contribute on special teams, because he isn't getting the touches needed so far on offense to show he can contribute there.
Donnel Pumphrey
Total touches: 0 (0 runs, 0 catches)
Analysis: The good news for Pumphrey is that for the first time since coming to the Eagles he has been consistently healthy, not missing any practices. The bad news is he isn't getting a chance to show what he can do when healthy, as he has run almost exclusively with the third-string players. Pumphrey's ceiling is the practice squad and preseason games will be huge for him.
You can follow Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
