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Where did the Eagles land in a PFF ranking of all 32 running back groups?

Where did the Eagles land in a PFF ranking of all 32 running back groups?

USA Today5 hours ago

Eagles land at No. 4 in a PFF ranking of all 32 running back groups
So, how good is the Philadelphia Eagles' offensive line? They're led by Jeff Stoutland, perhaps the best position coach in the game. Lately, any tailback behind them is assured of a Pro Bowl season.
Miles Sanders made the NFL's all-star team in 2022. Philadelphia let him walk during the following offseason and didn't think twice about it. D'Andre Swift replaced him... another Pro Bowler...
A tad over a year ago, Philadelphia did what most never thought was possible. They paid a running back a lot of money. There isn't anyone in the Delaware Valley who doesn't know how that turned out.
For years, people asked a question. What might happen if the Eagles put an elite running back behind that offensive line? We have been answered. What happens is the best rushing season in franchise history.
Pro Football Focus names the Eagles' RB unit among the top four in the NFL
As good as Saquon Barkley has been for the Eagles, some pundits, while tossing around ideas about strategy, have suggested that maybe Philadelphia ought to hand him the ball less often. It sounds strange to say, doesn't it? The goal is to win. Saquon poses a threat to go the distance every time he touches the football. How do you give that guy fewer opportunities to do so?
The answer is simple... After a heavy workload during the 2024-25 campaign, there's a fear that he may have taken too much punishment, so theories have shifted.
There's a desire for a more balanced attack from the Eagles this time around. Less physical strain on Saquon means he is hopefully fresher and better rested for another postseason run.
They have plenty of weapons for the passing game, and this next nugget might be the best news they receive all summer.
Pro Football Focus recently ranked every NFL team's running back room.
"Saquon Barkley's incredible 2024 season alone earns Philadelphia a high mark on this list. Postseason included, Barkley rushed for more than 2,500 yards last season while forcing 83 missed tackles and generating an astonishing 55 explosive runs."
Those were the words of Dalton Wasserman. He's this story's author. He also sees value in A.J. Dillon and Will Shipley.
"AJ Dillon and Will Shipley will be Barkley's backups in 2025. Dillon missed all of last season due to a neck injury but earned a solid 76.1 PFF rushing grade in 2023. Shipley tallied just 34 carries during his rookie campaign but could be the team's primary kick returner this season."
This isn't rocket science. Rushing for 2,000 yards takes a lot out of the guy who does so, which is why we haven't seen any of the eight guys who have done it previously repeat the feat during the following season.
The Eagles are going to score a lot of points, but less Saquon and more of a committee approach could unlock something dangerous. Will Shipley and A.J. Dillon are potentially two more secret weapons for the Eagles' offense

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