It’s NFL Draft Season! Before you read, some important context…
I’ve ranked these players based on the Eagles’ needs and scheme fit. So while I may rate player ‘X’ higher than player ‘Y’ on pure talent, ‘Y’ could rank higher here due to fit or need. Focus more on tiers than exact order. Players in the same tier have similar grades, with minimal separation. I may note injury or off-field concerns, but they aren’t factored into rankings that often due to limited information. If a player isn’t listed, I haven’t evaluated them yet. I’ll try to get to as many prospects as possible.
You can find more on my podcast, and I’ll be releasing some videos on these prospects over on Patreon.
Running Back
With Saquon Barkley locked in as the workhorse and Tank Bigsby adding a capable complement, the Eagles’ backfield is set at the top. The remaining competition for an RB3 spot between Will Shipley and Dameon Pierce means there’s little urgency to spend premium draft capital here. The Eagles should not be using a pick on a running back before Day 3. When they do act, I would go after a pass-catching, third-down specialist who can contribute in the passing game, provide value on special teams, and grow into the RB3 role. Power backs and early-down thumpers are not what I would be looking for right now.
Tier 1: Top 10
1. Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
Overall: An explosive feature-back talent whose speed, size, and big-play profile make him the most dangerous runner in this class. A legitimate first-round caliber player.
Eagles Thoughts: He won’t last until pick 23. And even if he did, the Eagles have no need at RB in Round 1. Love is a name to admire from afar.
Tier 2: Day 2
2. Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
Overall: A well-rounded committee back whose efficient running style and versatility make him an easy fit in multiple offensive structures.
Eagles Thoughts: Consensus has him going around Round 2, which is too early for the Eagles. The Eagles shouldn’t be touching a running back before Day 3 at the absolute earliest.
3. Mike Washington Jr, Arkansas
Overall: A rare size/speed athlete whose testing profile and vertical burst give him one of the highest physical ceilings in the group. A standout combine performer.
Eagles Thoughts: Washington would be a high-upside pick for special teams and depth, but his limited receiving ability and that exceptional combine showing mean he’ll be gone well before the Eagles should be paying attention to this position.
Tier 3: Rounds 3-4
4. Emmett Johnson, Nebraska
Overall: A fluid athlete whose movement skills and receiving ability give him genuine passing-down value. The knock is his pass protection, which needs real development before he can be trusted in that role.
Eagles Thoughts: If the Eagles want to take a Day 3 shot on a passing-down specialist, Johnson is a decent shout, provided he can show enough willingness and improvement as a pass protector. The ceiling is there.
Tier 4: Round 4
5. Nicholas Singleton, Penn State
Overall: A high-upside power-speed runner with prototype traits and outstanding physical tools. He needs to do more with his athleticism. Making defenders miss in space is the next step.
Eagles Thoughts: Singleton is genuinely intriguing as a potential RB3 as Day 3 approaches, but his draft stock will likely push him off the board before the Eagles should be spending draft capital on a back.
6. Jonah Coleman, Washington
Overall: A compact, physical runner built around power, balance, and consistent inside production. He does his best work between the tackles.
Eagles Thoughts: Coleman’s profile as a downhill, early-down grinder doesn’t match what the Eagles would be targeting at this position, and his draft range suggests he’ll be gone before we would have interest, regardless.
Tier 5: Rounds 5+
7. Demond Claiborne, Wake Forest
Overall: A speedy rotational back with clear change-of-pace value and genuine explosive play potential. Projects as a pass-down contributor at the next level.
Eagles Thoughts: This is exactly the kind of explosive third-down back the Eagles should be targeting. The concerns around size and pass protection are real, though, and could limit his role if he can’t hold up in protection.
8. J’Mari Taylor, Virginia
Overall: A short, stout back with excellent contact balance and reliable pass protection. Looks a little stiff when asked to create in the open field, which limits his upside as a receiver.
Eagles Thoughts: If the Eagles want a late-round back who can contribute in pass protection and add some receiving value, Taylor is a very good fit. The protection reliability alone makes him worth a long look on Day 3.
9. Kaytron Allen, Penn State
Overall: A sturdy north-south back with excellent production, whose physical style projects naturally into committee work. A reliable early-down option.
Eagles Thoughts: Allen is an interesting early-down runner, but he’s not the profile the Eagles are shopping for. Unless we pivot away from targeting a pass-catching back, he’s a tough sell.
10. Kaelon Black, Indiana
Overall: A talented early-down runner with good contact balance and a physical approach to pass protection. Rarely used as a receiver out of the backfield, which caps his versatility.
Eagles Thoughts: The receiving role isn’t there, so the Eagles likely pass. That said, if they do want a steady, willing pass protector who can hold his own on early downs, Black makes some sense as a late flier.
11: Le’Veon Moss, Texas A&M
Overall: A physical downhill runner whose game is built around power, physicality, and enough short-area quickness to keep defenders honest.
Eagles Thoughts: The production doesn’t quite back up the pre-draft buzz. If his draft stock inflates anyway, he likely won’t make it to the rounds where the Eagles might have taken a late shot.
12. Seth McGowan, Kentucky
Overall: An explosive developmental back whose athletic profile stands out more than his production. The testing numbers pop; the film does not.
Eagles Thoughts: The elite explosion is legitimately impressive, but the receiving role the Eagles would need just isn’t present in his game. It’s hard to justify the pick without it unless he’s a special teams role player.
13. Adam Randall, Clemson
Overall: A big, physical downhill runner with pass-catching versatility born from his background as a wide receiver. The size-speed combination is notable, but he’s very raw.
Eagles Thoughts: The idea of a physical back with receiver pedigree is genuinely appealing, but Randall isn’t a natural catcher (weird considering his background), and his pass protection needs work. The size is there to develop both, which makes him an intriguing late-round gamble if the Eagles want something with some upside.
Thank you for reading! I’d love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to comment below and ask any questions. If you enjoyed this piece, you can find more of my work and podcast here. If you would like to support me further, please check out my Patreon here!
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