Could Corey Clement be the starting running back for the Philadelphia Eagles?
Howie Roseman and the Philadelphia Eagles have had an offseason that is currently beyond any expectations that any fan or front office personal could of hoped for. The Eagles not only added weapons through free agency (most notably WR Alshon Jeffery), but also through the draft. The Eagles now have a beyond average wide-receiving core with Jeffery, Matthews, Smith, Agholor and draft pick Mack Hollins. Which will give upcoming "sophomore" Carson Wentz more targets, and better production once September rolls around. The Eagles also have one of the deepest offensive AND defensive lines in the league, with a bunch of talent and a bunch of money invested into Jim Schwartz's and Frank Reich's line.
Two positions still remain "unfinished" for the Eagles: cornerbacks and running backs. The Eagles added two cornerbacks in the draft. The first coming with the 43rd selection in injured Sidney Jones out of Washington (a first-round talent) and Rasul Douglas with their 3rd round selection out of West Virginia. There is still a lot of work to do; especially since the #1 CB is going to be second-yearer Jalen Mills, and the type of receiver talent that teams in the NFC East have. Some veteran experience out of free-agent pickup Patrick Robinson will help, but not as much as hoped.
The other unfinished piece of the Philadelphia Eagles' lineup is the running back position... Ever since Chip Kelly (and only Chip Kelly) got rid of LeSean McCoy, the Philadelphia Eagles running game has been only average (and at sometimes below average). Last year's starting running back Ryan Mathews is on his way out of the organization. Taking up 4-million dollars (1M for buyout) on the team with the lowest salary room available, Mathews will be released from the team once he deemed physically avialable from a neck injury he suffered late last season. Most everybody giving Mathews a slim to none chance of returning next season, some writers are not even mentioning his name in articles when they write about the running back position and the offense as a whole.
That leaves the Eagles with five running backs to chose from Three of which who are below 5'9". (And all who are below 6'1"). These running backs are: Byron Marshall (could be cut before season), Wendell Smallwood, Darren Sproles (in final season before retirement), draft pick Donnel Pumphrey and undrafted free agent Corey Clement.
Darren Sproles and Donnel Pumphrey are two running backs who are 5'6" and 5'8" respectively, and are not all down backs. That leaves the Eagles front office to decide between second year Wendell Smallwood and local boy UDFA Corey Clement.
By the type of performance Clement is putting on at rookie minicamp, he seems to be more NFL-ready than teammate Donnel Pumphrey. Even though Pumphrey is the all time leading rusher in FBS history, Clement put together a very intriguing college resume, even after missing most of his junior season at Wisconsin. Last year alone Clement rushed for 1,375 yards and 15 touchdowns in a very talented Big-Ten Conference with matchups against Ohio State, Michigan, Nebraska, and Penn State
(and non-conference LSU). Clement is able to find holes even without them being created and can turn on the jets when he gets into open field. The Eagles are wondering how he did not get drafted and made him a priority once Chad Kelly's named was called as Mr. Irrelevant.
This leaves Clement as a strong possibility to end up the starter in Week 1 against the Redskins. There are still a multitude of moves that the Eagles could make to avoid having an UDFA start the first drive of the season with the ball. The first one is obviously having Wendell Smallwood (or any other running back) beat him out for the position. The second one could be the Eagles making a lineman-running back swap before minicamp starts. There are teams that need offensive and defensive linemen; and with the (earlier said) deepness of both lines, there are teams that would be willing to trade. The biggest team to look for is the Saints. After losing center Max Unger for the first couple games of the season, they are in need of a center. Jason Kelce, is one of those players who could be involved in the trade (if it were to happen). After the acquirement of Adrian Peterson and draft pick Alvin Kamara, the Saints have no need for Mark Ingram. Ingram, an all-purpose back, has rushed for over 4,200 yards and 30 touchdowns in his six-year career and had over 1,000 yards for 6 touchdowns last season. Other teams could be in the same category, possibly trading for Mychal Kendricks, another name who could be on that list.
The running back game for the Philadelphia Eagles is one big question mark. And do not rule out a three back set for the Eagles to run. The offensive staff and the front-office will have to work diligently to figure out who will be lining up behind Carson Wentz on FedExField in Maryland on September 10th. But, do not be surprised if Clement is the man to be in that position.
