Who Makes the Eagles Roster: Running back
The Eagles narrowed their roster from 90 to 78 on Sunday and still have to get to 75 by 4.p.m. Tuesday and to 53 for the regular season by Sept. 5. We've reviewed six positions and still have two more to go. Here's the lineup:
Aug. 24: Defensive line
Aug. 25: Linebacker
Aug. 26: Wide receiver/tight end
Aug. 27: Offensive line
Aug. 28: Cornerback
Aug. 31: Safety
Sept. 1: Running back
Sept. 2: Quarterback/specialist
RUNNING BACK
LIKELY TO KEEP: 4
WHO STAYS
DeMarco Murray, Ryan Mathews, Darren Sproles, Kenjon Barner
The Eagles kept only three running backs last season even though Chris Polk wasn't healthy at the start of the season. Polk was inactive in Weeks 1 and 6 and Chip Kelly still dressed only two running backs on game day. Matthew Tucker (waived/injured in July) remained on the practice squad all of last season. But Kenjon Barner is making a strong case that Kelly should keep four running backs this season. Barner hasn't done most of his damage in the preseason on offense, though. Barner returned two punts for touchdowns. Yes, the blocking was great, but Barner had to make men miss and showed some explosion. Darren Sproles is probably still the No. 1 punt returner on the team – how could you not have him back there? – but Barner is a viable backup should Sproles go down. If Barner makes the 53-man roster, it doesn't mean he'll be one of the 46 who dress on game days.
Three running backs are more than enough. Kelly said that adding depth at the position was a priority in the offseason. When you add DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews – both have been staples on the injury list over their careers – you better have some depth. But assuming Murray, Mathews and Sproles stay healthy, the Eagles might have the deepest running-back group in the NFL. The guess here is that Murray gets 225-250 carries this season. He had 392 last season for the Cowboys. Mathews would be next with 100-125 carries. And Sproles would be sprinkled in for about 50. Sproles' presence in the passing game is obviously going to be beefed up. The Eagles have made that clear. But Murray and Mathews aren't slouches in catching passes, either and will get their share of screens and check downs.
WHO GOES
Raheem Mostert, Kevin Monangai
Barner shouldn't rest easy. He's not a lock. But if he doesn't make the club, it's probably because the Eagles decided to keep three and not four. That doesn't mean Raheem Mostert hasn't done enough to make the team. The undrafted rookie out of Purdue has the wheels to play in the NFL. He showed them during a 40-yard catch against the Colts and a 67-yard kick return against the Packers. The Eagles might be able to sneak Mostert onto the practice squad. Running backs tend to look better in Kelly's offense than they likely would elsewhere. So Kevin Monangai's 6-yards-per-carry average during the preseason should be taken with a morsel of salt. The Villanova product has played well, but there's just too much talent ahead of him on this team.