INDIANAPOLIS — The Eagles’ top goal this week during the 2017 NFL Combine is to figure out how they are going to add playmakers to next year’s roster.
While one of those playmakers absolutely has to be a wide receiver — and it could come in the form of either Kenny Stills or Alshon Jeffery — they also need to add a difference-making running back.
Here are some of the Eagles’ options at running back:
Jamaal Charles: The Kansas City Chiefs officially released running back Jamaal Charles on Tuesday, a veteran that is an intriguing name for the Eagles to consider.
There is plenty of talk here at the Combine about whether or not the Eagles would be willing to add Charles. Eagles head coach Doug Pederson has ties to Charles from his day as offensive coordinator with the Chiefs, and would seemingly know the offense from the day he stepped into the NovaCare Center.
One issue with Charles, however, is his age and health. Charles is 30-years old, and has played just eight games in the last two seasons due to knee injuries.
Charles couldn’t come in and be the Eagles’ feature back, but he would make sense as a veteran backup that the team could use in passing situations. If he is willing to take a deal that is one-or-two years and no more than $3 million annually, a deal could get done.
Kenny Stills to Eagles?
Adrian Peterson: The Eagles presumably discuss every player that is set to become a free agent, and as of Tuesday, Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is now on that list.
A deal between the Eagles and Peterson, however, doesn’t make much sense.
Peterson wants to play for a winner, and the Eagles aren’t close to offering any player a chance at a Super Bowl trophy. It also wouldn’t make sense for the Eagles to bring in Peterson, as he is expected to earn more than $6 million annually, which is a decent chunk of the team’s cap space this offseason.
Ryan Mathews: Mathews was the Eagles’ lead back last season, but the chances of him coming back are slim. Mathews has trouble staying healthy, and ended last season on the injured reserve list due to a neck injury. Even if he was healthy, Mathews likely wouldn’t be back, as the team saves $4 million be releasing him.
Wendell Smallwood: The Eagles are very high on Smallwood, their fifth-round pick last year who was up-and-down as a rookie. Smallwood carried the ball just 77 times, averaging 4.1 yards-per-carry on his way to 312 yards. He had a long of just 19-yards.
What Eagles need to accomplish at NFL Combine
Smallwood might have a future with the team, but he didn’t look like a special back last season, and the Eagles would be wise to go into next season with another player on the roster that could be a full-time back.
Dalvin Cook: The Eagles could make a major splash by taking Florida State running back Dalvin Cook with their first-round pick. Cook has the potential to be one of the most dangerous running backs in the NFL, as he was a threat to take it to the house whenever he touched the ball in college. Taking Cook in the first round, however, would stop the Eagles from addressing a more serious need, like cornerback or receiver.
Another rookie: The Eagles will almost certainly take a running back in the draft. If it isn’t Cook in the first round, other options are Joe Mixon from Oklahoma, D’Onta Foreman from Texas and Alvin Kamara of Tennessee.
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Eliot Shorr-Parks may be reached at eshorrpa@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @EliotShorrParks. Find NJ.com Eagles on Facebook.
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