Earlier this offseason, the Eagles reportedly had shopped running back Ryan Mathews to see if they could recoup any additional draft picks for their projected starter at that position. With DeMarco Murray having been moved to Tennessee and question marks surrounding the viability of Darren Sproles as a heavy workload option or the experience of Kenjon Barner, the running back position is very much a question mark for the Eagles going forward. Several pundits and reports have linked top positional prospect Ezekiel Elliott to Philadelphia, as they hold the 8th overall pick in the draft. Should Elliott be the pick on draft day, Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net reports that Mathews could be on the move.
Philadelphia Eagles
I'm told if the Philadelphia Eagles select running back Ezekiel Elliott with the draft's eighth pick, the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers are two teams interested in Ryan Mathews, the Eagles' present starter. Insiders I spoke with think its unlikely Mathews is dealt to a divisional rival such as Dallas and question if they would trade him to a team now led by their former head coach.
As Pauline notes, the teams reportedly interested in Mathews are interesting given their ties to the Eagles organization. Both the Cowboys and 49ers also pick ahead of the Eagles, and either could conceivably take Elliott with their selection. Given his injury history, it's hard to envision Mathews can shake the notion that he is incapable of serving as a primary back in a run-heavy offense. At this stage of his career, one would think he'd be better served as a member of a committee. Howie Roseman has shown little reluctance in trading away roster players so far this offseason and there's no reason to think that Mathews couldn't be the next to go if the Eagles can address the running back position in the draft.
Somers Price is a contributor for Eagledelphia.com and can be followed on Twitter @somersprice
