One thing Howie Roseman has made clear this offseason is that the Eagles never really view their roster as finished.
He stressed that earlier this year during the NFL Annual Meetings when fans were worried about the running back position. After essentially telling everyone to relax, Roseman went out and traded for Jordan Howard, then drafted Miles Sanders in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Could more moves be coming?
The question is worth asking after running back Darren Sproles recently told Dr. David Chao on the Pro Football Doc Podcast that he would be interested in coming back this year if the right offer or team called.
Although he didn't mention the Eagles specifically, it is safe to say the Eagles are one of those teams that Sproles would return to if they called. The question is whether or not there is a role for Sproles, as part of the reason he wants to return has to do with completing a personal goal of his.
"That's my whole thing. That's my whole thing. I want a full year. I want a full year. Actually want to get up to like, top four or five in all-purpose yards … like, ever," Sproles said, via Bleeding Green Nation. "Right now I'm No. 6. If I would've played a whole season last year, I would've been No. 4 right now."
Sproles currently sits with 19,520 yards, which is good for sixth all-time. He is only 162 yards behind wide receiver Tim Brown, who is No. 5. He is 1,024 yards behind No. 4, running back Emmitt Smith.
While it is unlikely that he could catch Smith, passing Brown would be fairly easy for Sproles, especially if he was given a role in this Eagles' offense.
The Eagles might have made some additions to their running back group, but they would be wise to still make some room for Sproles. Although they believe that Howard or Sanders can step in and make an impact in the passing game, neither have shown they can be counted on to do so. Howard hasn't done it in the NFL, and Sanders didn't do it in his one-year as a starter at Penn State. The Eagles can project they will be able to, but they won't know for sure until the season gets here — at which point it might be too late.
Bringing in Sproles as the third-or-fourth running back would give the Eagles a sure thing in the passing game from running back position. Sproles couldn't come in and carry a heavy workload, but he could be counted on for four-or-five touches a game.
Sproles played well at the end of last season after returning from his injured hamstring, which should give the Eagles reason to believe he would contribute next season as well.
You can follow Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
