Eagles First Round Running Back Options

Given the eagles lack of free agency spending despite a ton of cap room (see my prior article), I believe the draft plays an even bigger role than usual in both the Eagles future and the relationship they have with the fan base. If the Eagles keep both first round picks, I will guarantee a running back with one of them. If I am wrong, I will announce my new NFL team on this blog the following Monday.

I think all four potential first round running backs this year will be solid players in the NFL. The top two backs on most draft boards are Chris “Beanie” Wells and Knowshon Moreno. Chris Wells of Ohio State was a star from grade school on (see Desean Jackson), and was dominant when healthy. He has some injury problems and I am not sold on his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. I would note that while the Eagles interviewed him at the combine, they did not bring him in for a separate workout.

Knowshon Moreno is almost the complete package, sans home run hitters speed. I believe that his lateral quickness and “jukeability”, however, make up for the lack of straight-line speed. As a fan of the SEC, I did get to watch a lot of Moreno and he reminds me of Auburn’s Carnell Williams. Injuries aside, that is a very good thing.

Donald Brown (pictured top left), who consistently produced for an average to below-average Connecticut team, really increased his stock at the NFL combine and his pro day. In fact, of the four (4) potential first round backs, he had the best 40 yard dash time. In addition, all reports are that he has good character and is a tireless worker. These factors mean more to the Eagles than most teams. If he went to BYU, you might as well be selling his jersey already.

Last is LeSean McCoy, who was a machine last year at Pittsburgh. I watched him single-handedly will them to at least a few victories. He does have some explosiveness and ability to make defenders miss. The scouts seemed to be concerned about his size and durability in the NFL. To my eyes, he looks like a nice inside runner. I have seen several comparisons to Warrick Dunn, who, despite his diminutive size, excelled in short yardage situations.

Unfortunately, I doubt the first two backs are in play for the birds. Barring a trade for Jason Peters, no one can convince me Andy Reid will be able to restrain himself from drafting an offensive tackle with the first pick. I believe waiting until pick 28 for a running back takes Moreno and Wells off the board. While I like McCoy a little more, I think the Eagles go with Donald Brown. We’ll see what Banner, Heckert and Reid decide to do. Just in case they decide Lorenzo Booker is the second option, any suggestions on my new team?