Rookie RBs will have their chances
Miles Sanders has established himself as a workhorse back capable of handling the bulk of the load in 2020 — in the eyes of Eagles running backs coach Duce Staley. The coach also predicts a big bounceback season from Corey Clement, but this doesn’t mean there won’t be room for a rookie or two.
The Eagles didn’t draft any running backs this year, but they did sign undrafted prospects Mike Warren from Cincinnati and Adrian Killins from Central Florida. They also are bringing back de facto rookie Elijah Holyfield, who had been signed off the Carolina practice squad to Philadelphia’s 53-man roster (just before their playoff loss to Seattle in January) but he has not been activated for a game.
Staley seems as high on Killins, a small (5-foot-8, 177-pound) speed back, as he is on Warren, who packs 218 pounds onto a 5-9 frame.
According to Staley, Killins is no Donnel Pumphrey, a draft bust from 2017 who came with similar dimensions.
“You go back and watch the highlight film, man, he’s explosive,” Staley raved. “You go back and just watch him on some of his long runs. One of the things, of course, is his size. His size plays a factor, but I strongly believe if you’re small and special, you’ve got to be both. And if you are both, boom, you have a chance.
“I put him in that category of being small and special. And this is how they feel [about] some of the things he did in Central Florida. It’s unbelievable.”
Killins certainly was no change-of-pace player at UCF, where he finished with the 10th most rushing attempts and fifth-most rushing yards (2,459) in program history. His contributions in the passing game and on special teams as a kick returner helped him finish his four-year career with 4,361 allpurpose yards in 51 games.
Warren is no slouch, either, according to Staley, who knows looks can be deceiving.
“I love this kid’s film,” Staley added. “… He may be a little bigger than some of the backs that we have, but I’ll tell you, his feet are maybe nicer than some of the backs we have. So, he may look like a bowling ball. He can run you over. But he can also make you miss.”
Warren ran for 14 touchdowns while averaging 4.8 yards per carry last season at Cincinnati, a program with a knack for turning out successful
Eagles such as tight end Brent Celek, defensive end Trent Cole and center Jason Kelce. None of those players was drafted higher than the fifth round.
Holyfield, the son of former world heavyweight boxing champ Evander Holyfield, averaged 6.4 yards per carry in 2018, his final season at Georgia, where he also was a captain.
The Eagles likely will keep four running backs. Sanders and
Boston Scott seem like locks. Clement might have the inside track on the third spot. But nothing beyond Sanders is guaranteed.
Look for at least one Eagles rookie to make his presence felt and make the team in 2020.