Four RBs the Eagles could pair with Miles Sanders in free agency

The Eagles didn’t do a lot of things right this season, but one thing was certain: the team was most effective when they ran the football. Miles Sanders trailed only Nick Chubb in yards per carry for much of the season, finishing the year averaging 5.3 yards/attempt. Doug Pederson didn’t seem to perceive this, however, as Sanders was ranked 21st in rushing attempts this season. To add context, Sanders ended the year with just five more carries than Lamar Jackson.
MILES SANDERS GOES 82 YARDS. #FlyEaglesFly
— NFL (@NFL) December 13, 2020
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The moral of the story, Sanders was criminally underutilized and is one of many reasons why the offense struggled this season. Moving forward, it’ll benefit the Eagles greatly to not only get Sanders more involved but to get another back in here that can complement his skill set.
Boston Scott was the team’s second-leading rusher with 374 yards with Jalen Hurts just 20 yards behind him. Pending whatever money the Eagles can scrape together this offseason, here are four upcoming free-agents that the team could pair with Sanders to get the most out of their running game next season:
Jamaal Williams
Williams has been reliable for Green Bay for the last four years, both in primary and secondary roles. He’s a do-it-all back that can pound the football when necessary in addition to being a receiving threat out of the backfield. With the Packers drafting AJ Dillon in last year’s draft, it’s doubtful that Williams is brought back next season.
Williams has had at least 460 rushing yards and 200 receiving yards in all four seasons, spending the majority of his time as Aaron Jones’ backup (who will also be a free agent after the year). If Sanders were to ever go down at any point, Williams is the perfect well-rounded back to carry the workload in the meantime.
Jamaal Williams barrels ahead for the #GoPackGo score.
— NFL (@NFL) November 30, 2020
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Mike Davis
Davis had a productive year for Carolina in McCaffrey’s absence, finishing with career-highs in multiple categories:
- Carries: 165
- Rushing yards: 642
- Rushing TDs: 6
- Receptions: 59
- Receiving yards: 373
- Receiving TDs: 2
Davis has great balance and his physicality would complement Sanders’ elusiveness well. He certainly proved that he could start elsewhere; but if he doesn’t get the RB1 money he’s looking for, a Sanders/Davis pairing has the potential to be pretty lethal. Davis finished the year as one of four Panthers with 1,000+ scrimmage yards along with Robby Anderson, Curtis Samuel, and DJ Moore.
Mike Davis makes a couple moves and finds the end zone! #KeepPounding
— NFL (@NFL) September 27, 2020
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Marlon Mack
Mack had an explosive two-year run prior to tearing his Achilles two quarters into the 2020 season. With emerging rookie Jonathan Taylor closing out the season strong, Colts GM Chris Ballard has alluded to Mack not being with Indianapolis in the future. Over the last two seasons, Mack has rushed for 2000 yards, 17 TDs and has only fumbled the ball twice. If the market for his services dries up on him, the Eagles could grab the 24-year-old on a one-year deal to prove his worth.
Marlon Mack’s footwork is a thing of beauty 😮😮 @Marlon_Mack25 pic.twitter.com/3ClOlfWyHb
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) October 7, 2019
Tevin Coleman
The Eagles had rumored interest in Coleman during free agency two years ago, so they may revisit him here. Coleman is coming off an injury-riddled season with the 49ers but is a solid offensive weapon when healthy. Last season aside, Coleman has had at least 700 scrimmage yards in each of the 4 seasons prior; most notably in tandem with Devonta Freeman during his time in Atlanta.
TEVIN COLEMAN. UNSTOPPABLE.
— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2019
48 yards for his THIRD TD of the first half! #CARvsSF #GoNiners @Teco_Raww
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