Saying the Eagles backfield got a face lift this offseason may still be an understatement to some. Most fans wouldn't have been able to predict LeSean McCoy departing this soon, but even more surprsing is outbidding the Cowboys for DeMarco Murray. Murray is joined by former Chargers running back Ryan Mathews and speedster, Darren Sproles.
After finishing the season ninth in rushing during the 2014-15 campaign, the Eagles head into this year ranked as the No. 1 backfield in the NFL, according to NFL.com's Marc Sessler, with the addition of both DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews. Sessler emphasizes the depth that the Eagles have at the running back position and that Murray is exactly the kind of running back for Chip Kelly's system.
Philly's deep and diverse backfield sits out there as the NFL's finest in my book. Coming off his league-leading 392 carries last season, DeMarco Murray gives Chip Kelly the kind of one-cut runner he didn't see in LeSean McCoy. Still, look for Ryan Mathews to serve a much bigger role than some expect with the Eagles. ESPN's Louis Riddick came away from team OTAs saying: "Murray gets the headlines, but Ryan Mathews looks very good. And they like him. A lot."
Kelly also has Sproles to lean on, but after averaging just 3.8 carries per game, the 31-year-old back told Philly.com in May: "They told me that my role wouldn't change." Sproles has talked with Kelly, though, about using him more on passing downs, which can be expected this season.
While DeMarco Murray's addition to the Eagles running back corps has been grabbing the majority of the headlines, NFL Media's Daniel Jeremiah said he's more so looking forward to what is in store for both Mathews and Sproles in the back field.
"Murray gets all the headlines and attention, but I'm even more intrigued to see what the role is for Mathews and Sproles. The way they do it, you go out there for a series. I think it's going to be a good fit. I kind of worry about those secondary runners when you get a carry here, a carry there. But the Eagles with their tempo, (Mathews is) going to get a full series and he's going to get a chance to get into a rhythm."
The Eagles division rivals ranked 15th (Redskins), 22nd (Giants) and 26th (Cowboys) while the Bills, now armed with LeSean McCoy, ranked 7th on the list.
Brandon Apter is a contributing writer for Eagledelphia.com
