NFL Free Agency: Former Ravens running back named potential fit for Eagles

The Eagles have a myriad of roster decisions to make this offseason, including the future of running back D’Andre Swift.

Philadelphia traded a fourth-round pick for Swift’s services during last year’s NFL Draft after Detroit selected Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs.

Swift went on to have a career year in Philly despite the team’s offensive struggles down the stretch:

D’Andre Swift’s 2023 season

• 229 rushing attempts (career-high)
• 1049 rushing yards (career-high)
• 4.6 yards/carry
• 39 receptions
• 214 receiving yards
• 6 total touchdowns

Although his production should warrant an extension, history doesn’t favor Swift in this situation. The Eagles haven’t given out a significant contract to a running back since LeSean McCoy 12 years ago and committed less than $6M in total salary to their backfield last season.

Additionally, teams have become aware that star running backs aren’t necessary to win Super Bowls, devaluing the position even further.

Super Bowl winner’s leading rusher (cap hits)

• 2023: Isiah Pacheco — 935 yards ($889k)
• 2022: Isiah Pacheco — 830 yards ($725k)
• 2021: Sony Michel — 845 yards ($1.8M)
• 2020: Ronald Jones — 978 yards ($1.9M)
• 2019: Damien Williams — 498 yards ($1.7M)
• 2018: Sony Michel — 931 yards ($2.2M)
• 2017: LeGarrette Blount — 766 yards ($1.25M)
• 2016: LeGarrette Blount — 1,161 yards ($1M)
• 2015: Ronnie Hillman — 863 yards ($940k)
• 2014: Jonas Gray — 412 yards (270k)

The Eagles passed on re-signing Miles Sanders last spring following a Pro Bowl season, and D’Andre Swift could face a similar fate.

If so, PFF has Philadelphia targeting a free-agent option to fill the void:

J.K Dobbins

“This is just a classic Eagles-type move, with shades of both the D’Andre Swift acquisition from last year and the signing of Rashaad Penny for a near-minimum contract.

Philadelphia continues to go cheap at running back but gets a lot out of backs behind elite offensive line coach and run game coordinator Jeff Stoutland.”

Dobbins, 25, is coming off a torn Achilles suffered in Week 1 of the 2023 season but has always been effective when healthy. He leads all running backs with 5.8 yards/carry since entering the league in 2020 and has scored 13 total touchdowns in 24 regular season games.

The former second-round pick will likely have to take a one-year, incentive-based contract to rebuild his stock, a deal right up GM Howie Roseman’s alley. We’ll see how things shake out in free agency.

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