By: Jesse Larch, Sports Talk Philly Staff 
The Eagles decided to trade up in the fourth round of the NFL draft to select diminutive San Diego State running back Donnel Pumphrey Jr.
Trading up for Pumphrey signaled that the Eagles clearly had targeted him as a fit for the offense, and on day one of mandatory minicamp, we got a glimpse of what is in store for the shifty running back.
Unlike your average fourth-round selection, Pumphrey is already getting first-team reps in practice following the team's stretch of voluntary workouts. One look at his college performance, and it is easy to see why the team is placing such big expectations on the 5-foot-nine-inch running back.
Pumphrey leads all running backs in FBS history in rushing yards accumulating 6,405 yards on the ground. Over his four-year career, he scored 62 rushing touchdowns and caught 99 passes for 1,039 yards and five touchdowns.
Without fail, Pumphrey was able to create plays whenever he touched the ball, and the Eagles are looking to use him to ignite their offense that was severely lacking in big plays.
One of the most popular comparisons for Pumphrey is to his new teammate Darren Sproles. Sproles has cemented himself as an offensive weapon by using his quick change-of-pace running style and his advanced ability to catch the football out of the backfield.
Many saw Pumphrey as the heir apparent to Sproles when he was drafted, but the early indication is that the Eagles intend to use both backs at the same time:
Donnel Pumphrey getting a lot of first team offense reps today. He's lining up at WR with Sproles in the backfield.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) June 13, 2017
It appears Pumphrey will be used heavily in the passing game, taking a healthy amount of first team reps as an outside wide receiver on the first day of mandatory mini camp.
Pumphrey previously got time fielding punts in OTAs. After the early workouts for the team, we can conclude that the Eagles are prioritizing finding ways to get the ball into Pumphrey's hands. Pumphrey was also used in a package where him and Sproles shared the backfield during OTAs.
The record-setting running back would have been drafted much higher if he possessed a bigger body. Pumphrey is short by NFL standards, but it is his weight that likely caused the most pause among teams evaluating him.
To put it in perspective, Sproles is three inches shorter than Pumphrey, but weighs in 20 pounds heavier than the rookie. Pumphrey is very skinny for the NFL and especially for a position that warrants contact like running back does.
Pumphrey ignores his size, and makes up for it with heart. It is something that running backs coach Duce Staley has already noticed about the rookie.
"He has the heart of a lion," Staley said. "You can see it in his eyes. I see it when I talk to him, I see it when he gets the ball on his hands. That can’t be measured."
Staley's remarks echo the sentiment made by the Eagles' Vice President of Player Personnel Joe Douglas that followed the Eagles' selection of Pumphrey:
“Lightning feet. Great feet and great hands…and don’t let the size fool you: this guy, he’s a little dog that thinks he’s a big dog, and he plays that way. I love the way he plays. I love how productive he is…With Pumphrey, the thing that stands out the most is prolific production. He’s set every record. You’re talking about a guy that broke Marshall Faulk’s record.”
Douglas, who played a vital role in the Eagles' draft process this offseason surely had a lot to do with the decision to move up and select Pumphrey and his comments outline why he felt so strongly about the running back.
His opinion appears to be shared among the coaching staff, with a lot of responsibility already being dumped on to the rookie's plate. At this point, there is as much of a guarantee that Pumphrey will play with the first-team as first-round pick Derek Barnett.
This should not be a surprise, as not every fourth round pick offers the versatility and record-breaking pedigree that Pumphrey does. Pumphrey will get the opportunity to be a difference from day one.
We might not know how the Eagles plan to use the San Diego State product, but one thing is certain: Donnel Pumphrey is not your average fourth round pick.
