The Eagles didn't do much at running back in last weekend's draft. They used a late fourth-round pick on Donnel Pumphrey, who's 5-foot-8 and weighs 176 pounds. Nobody seems to know what the future holds for Ryan Mathews, coming off neck surgery. Darren Sproles turns 34 next month.
So it's worth taking a closer look at Wendell Smallwood. The team's fifth-round pick a year ago may end up being the starting running back -- or at least the one most worth rolling the dice on in fantasy drafts.
This article has an NFL source that says the Eagles attempted to trade up in the second round to select Dalvin Cook. Maybe, maybe not. In any case, they didn't get it done, and they also didn't select a back that can reasonably be viewed as an NFL starter. Maybe they'll be linked to LeGarrette Blount or somebody else still on the market, but for now what they have is what they have. The Philly Voice's Jimmy Kempski considers Mathews certain to be released.
It's worth noting that a year ago, the Eagles were quite impressed with Smallwood. He caught Doug Pederson's eye in the preseason, and in September, with Mathews dealing with his latest injury, Pederson felt good about the team's backfield.
Ultimately, Sproles finished with the backfield's most total yards a year ago, and Mathews its most rushing yards and touchdowns. It will probably open as a committee, and maybe none of the backs will be a viable starter.
But don't forget that the Eagles at least considered Smallwood as a possible starter last summer, and that they could have added something more than a scatback in the draft if they really wanted to. So maybe there's something there. If Mathews is indeed released, Smallwood would likely take over that main runner role, accounting for most of the rushing yards and touchdowns.
Philadelphia finished 11th in the league in rushing a year ago; it's a credible rushing attack. Given the other candidates on the roster, Smallwood could end up being the lead guy.
--Andy Richardson