Eagles 2025 offseason preview: Where does Philadelphia stand at RB position
The Eagles are the reigning Super Bowl champions, and as we approach the 2025 NFL draft, this roster will look dramatically different after suffering several free-agent losses. Philadelphia suffered massive losses as the first wave of free agency saw Josh Sweat (Cardinals), Milton Williams (Patriots), Kenneth Gainwell (Steelers), Mekhi Becton (Chargers), Isaiah Rodgers (Vikings), Fred Johnson (Jaguars), Parris Campbell (Cowboys), Darius Slay (CB) and Oren Burks (Bengals) all depart.
Still, they rebounded to make several key signings, including A.J. Dillon (RB), Joshua Uche (LB), Adoree' Jackson (CB), Charley Hughlett (LS), Patrick Johnson (LB), Avery Williams (KR/PR), Kylen Granson (TE), and Azeez Ojulari (OLB).
With the NFL draft fast approaching, we’re examining the running back position as we kick off the Eagles Wire off-season previews.
What's Changed
Kenneth Gainwell departed for Pittsburgh after spending his first four NFL seasons in Philadelphia as the backup running back for the Eagles. Gainwell appeared in 66 games, including four starts, and carried the ball 280 times for 1,185 yards, a 4.2-yard average, and 12 touchdowns. Gainwell also had 102 receptions for 721 yards, a 7.1-yard average, and one touchdown. He also has 27 kickoff returns for 612 yards, a 22.7-yard average.
Philadelphia signed former Packers running back A.J. Dillon to a one-year deal.
Saquon Barkley
The NFL's reigning Offensive Player of the Year, Barkley led the league with a franchise record of 2,005 rushing yards, making him the ninth player in NFL history to post 2,000+ rushing yards in a season. Overall, Barkley logged the 8th-most rushing yards in league history, trailing only Eric Dickerson in 1984 (2,105), Adrian Peterson in 2012 (2,097), Jamal Lewis in 2003 (2,066), Barry Sanders in 1997 (2,053), Derrick Henry in 2020 (2,027), Terrell Davis in 1998 (2,008) and Chris Johnson in 2009 (2,006). Note: O.J. Simpson, in 1973 (2,003), was the other member of the 2,000+ yard club. Including playoffs, Barkley’s 2,329 rushing yards (119 in the NFC Wild Card Playoff vs. Green Bay) are the 3rd-most in NFL single-season history, behind Terrell Davis in 1998 (2,476) and 1997 (2,331). He is just 148 rushing yards shy of breaking Davis’ record.
A.J. Dillon
Dillon and Aaron Jones teamed up in Green Bay for a dynamic one-two punch, and that could happen in Philadelphia with the Eagles looking to take some of the load off of Saquon Barkley following a season in which he led the league with 2,0005 yards. Last summer, Dillon was set to enter a contract year in 2024, but he was placed on injured reserve with a neck injury and missed the entire season. Dillon was selected 62nd overall (second round) in the 2020 NFL Draft. The six-foot, 247-pound back, known as "Quadzilla" by Packers fans, has been cleared for action. Dillon averaged 15 games played per campaign in his time in Green Bay -- excluding the missed 2024 season -- but only started 11. Dillon recorded 2,186 rushing yards between 2021-2023.
Will Shipley
The former Clemson star running back will battle A.J. Dillon for the backup role behind Saquon Barkley. As a rookie, Shipley rushed 30 times for 82 yards (2.7 YPC) across 16 regular-season appearances with the Eagles in 2024. He also secured all four targets for 35 yards and compiled 173 yards as a kick returner.
Shipley, a 2024 fourth-round pick, logged a 77-yard run and a score, the first of his career, on just four carries versus Washington in the NFC Championship Game.
Tyrion Davis-Price
Davis-Price signed a one-year contract with the Eagles in February of 2024 after spending the first two years of his NFL career with the 49ers. He didn't make the 53-man roster at the end of training camp, but Davis-Price stuck around on the practice squad and was elevated for Week 17 against the Cowboys, during which he logged three carries for seven yards. Davis-Price will be able to participate in the Eagles' OTAs, minicamp, and training camp to earn a spot on the 53-man roster for the 2025 season.
Lew Nichols
Nichols spent time with Philadelphia during Training Camp and the preseason in 2024 and returned to the practice squad a month ago.
Nichols (5-10, 220 pounds) rushed for 3,061 yards, added 575 receiving yards, and scored 29 total touchdowns in 32 games at Central Michigan. He was the Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2021.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eagles 2025 offseason preview: Where does Philadelphia stand at RB position
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