Eagles Cheap But Talented RB Room More Proof of Howie Roseman's Magic
The Philadelphia Eagles will have to decide how to handle the future of newly-acquired running back D'Andre Swift next offseason.
But for now, they can enjoy not only the talent, but the financial flexibility he's bringing to a running back corps that is proof of some of the best work yet from general manager Howie Roseman.
The Eagles struck a deal with the Detroit Lions for Swift on Day 3 of the draft Saturday, and will have him until at least 2023 until his rookie contract expires next spring. He'll make $1.77 million next season, an absolute bargain for a player that gashed the Eagles' elite defense in Week 1 last year and has shown flashes of star-level potential.
If he can prove he's deserving of a new deal, that cheap price tag won't last for long, as Philly could be willing to re-sign him for the right amount. But if Swift balls out and eventually plays himself out of Philly's price range, Eagles fans should cherish the fact that, for at least one season, he's headlining one of the league's best running back room when it comes to both talent and price.
Per combined data from Spotrac, the Eagles are one of the least-spendy teams when it comes to running backs next season. When looking at combined base salary alone, Philly is spending about $6.75 million on its running backs for 2023.
D'Andre Swift - $1.77 million
Rashaad Penny - $1.08 million
Kenneth Gainwell - $940K
Boston Scott - $1.85 million
Trey Sermon - $1.103 million
It's not wonder Roseman said he already liked the team's running backs before and after trading for Swift. They're hardly putting a dent in his wallet.
“We really liked the guys that we have on the roster," Roseman said Saturday. "We think it was a talented group. It wasn’t in our mind a position that we were actively looking to upgrade, but at the same time, we’re always looking for opportunities to improve the team."
Don't let the price fool you. There's some real talent in the breadcrumbs.
For starters, we already mentioned what Swift did to the Eagles last season. He rushed 15 times for a career-high 144 yards and a touchdown against Philly in Week 1, though the Eagles won that game 38-35 to jump-start an NFC Championship-winning season. Still, Swift had made a statement against a team that turned out to be one of the league's best.
He went on to show more impressive offensive flashes and a nose for the end zone in the somewhat limited action he got for the remainder of the season, as Swift was never able to reach that Week 1 form.
As for Penny, he looked well on his way to continuing the comeback arc of his career last season with the Seattle Seahawks. Riddled by injuries throughout his time in the NFL, he ended the 2021 campaign with 100-yard rushing performances in four of Seattle's last five games. He carried this momentum into last season, posting 17 carries for 151 yards and two touchdowns in a Week 4 win over Swift's Lions.
But a week later, Penny broke his fibula in what turned out to be his last game as a Seahawk.
The injury risk plays into his cheaper price, but if the Eagles can get anywhere close to the productions he's had over his last handful of games, it'll be a win.
And what needs to be said about Gainwell and Scott that hasn't already been said? The duo is likely set for more solid production out of the backfield in a complementary role next season.
However you slice it, the Eagles have some high-value options at a running back position that Roseman seems set on addressing in a similar way season-to-season.
You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7
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