Philadelphia Eagles NFL Draft 2025 Positional Needs: Running Back

While I have watched highlights from the Super Bowl every day since it happened, apparently a NEW season of football is still going to start in September. Before that can happen however, each team gets to select a number of former college standouts in the annual NFL Draft (April 24-April 26) which takes place in Green Bay, Wis. this year.

The Philadelphia Eagles will have the last pick in the first round, due to being the defending Super Bowl champs of course, and seven picks in rounds two through five, although Executive VP/GM/Wizard Howie Roseman has been known to make a deal or two on draft weekend.

2025 Picks:

1st round (PHI), No. 322nd round (PHI), No. 643rd round (PHI), No. 964th round (DET), No. 1305th round (HOU), No. 1615th round (CLE via DET), No. 1645th round (WAS), No. 1655th round (PHI), No. 168

2026 Picks:

1st round (PHI)2nd round (PHI)3rd round (PHI)3rd round (NYJ)4th round (PHI)5th round (PHI)5th round (HOU)7th round (PHI)four compensatory picks too (3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th rounds I think)

Potential Team Needs (2025 free agents in parentheses):

EDGE (Josh Sweat, Brandon Graham)LB (Zack Baun, Oren Burks, Ben VanSumeren; Nakobe Dean FA in 26)OG (Mekhi Becton, Fred Johnson)OT (Jack Driscoll; Darian Kinnard, Brett Toth FAs in 26)TE (C.J. Uzomah FA; Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcatarra, E.J. Jenkins FA in 26)CB (Isaiah Rodgers, Avonte Maddox FA; Darius Slay, Tristin McCollum, Eli Ricks, James Bradberry FAs in 26)

RB (Kenneth Gainwell)IDL (Milton Williams; Jordan Davis, Thomas Booker IV FAs in 26)

Now that a number of free agent decisions have been made, we have a better idea of what the Birds might do during the draft.

The Eagles lost: Sweat (Cardinals), Rodgers (Vikings), Gainwell (Steelers), Williams (Patriots), Slay (Steelers), Burks (Bengals), Becton (Chargers), Graham (FA), Bradberry (FA)

The Eagles retained: Baun, VanSumeren

Undecided: Maddox, Uzomah, Johnson, Driscoll

The Eagles signed free agents: LG Kenyon Green (Texans), EDGE Joshua Uche (Chiefs), RB A.J. Dillon (Packers), CB Adoree Jackson (Giants), LS Charley Hughlett (Browns), TE Harrison Bryant (Raiders), TE Kylen Granson (Colts), EDGE Patrick Johnson (Giants), PR/KR/WR/RB Avery WIlliams (Falcons)

Even with the addition of Dillon in free agency, Philadelphia would be wise to bring in a back to challenge Lew Nichols and Tyrion Davis-Price for depth. Dillon is coming off a neck injury that caused him to miss all of last season and the last two games of the 2023 season so it’s unclear how healthy (or rusty) he’ll be.

So, with that being said, let’s take a look at three potential ball carriers the Eagles could draft in April. (Age listed is “age on first day of the season.” Height and weight is as listed on NFL.com draft profile.)

RJ Harvey, UCF, 5-foot-8, 205 pounds, fifth-year senior, 24 years old

small in size but doesn’t shy away from contact
patient runner who waits for plays to develop and then bursts through the hole and past defenders with razor-sharp cuts

because of his insane cutting ability he too often tried to bounce runs outside in college which works against New Hampshire, but not against New England
despite an impressive 40-time at the combine, I wouldn’t classify him as a “speed back,” because he often got chased down on long runs even in his own highlight video
competent as a pass catcher
he is definitely on the older end of the prospect spectrum, but he only had 579 career carries in college and two seasons as the top RB at UCF so there is still some tread left on the tires
2024 accolades: Third Team All-America (AP, Phil Steele); First Team All-Big 12 (coaches, media, Phil Steele, CFN)
2024 stats: 232 attempts, 1,577 yards (6.8 ypc), long of 80, 22 rushing touchdowns; 20 catches, 267 yards (13.3 ypc), long of 75, 3 receiving touchdowns; 1-of-1 passing, 18 yards

Relative Athletic Score (RAS): 8.40 out of 10.00; 40-yard dash time of 4.40 which rated a 9.67 out of 10.00
Fun fact: he was the QB of his high school in Orlando that went defeated his sophomore year but won the district championship the following season and made the state playoffs with a 12-2 record his senior season
The Eagles should draft him in: 4th round

Kyle Monangai, Rutgers, 5-foot-8, 211 pounds, fifth-year senior, 23 years old

runs kinda like a bowling bowl that has been personally wronged by a member of the opposing team’s defense
he is elusive in the open field but not fast, on short or long runs
appears to have good hands but wasn’t a focal point of the Rutgers passing attack so not sure that can be considered a “strength”
did not have a good NFL Combine performance, which may drop him down draft boards
2024 accolades: Fourth Team All-American (Phil Steele); First Team All-Big Ten (coaches, media, AP, Phil Steele); All-ECAC Offense; team captain (second year)
2024 stats: 256 attempts, 1,279 yards (4.9 ypc), long of 62, 13 rushing touchdowns; 14 catches, 75 yards (5.4 ypc), long of 14, 1 receiving touchdown

Relative Athletic Score (RAS): 4.29 out of 10.00 (unofficial); 40-yard dash time of 4.60 which rated a 5.56 out of 10.00 (his 10-yard and 20-yard splits were rated worse)
Fun fact: led the Big Ten in rushing in 2023
The Eagles should draft him in: 5th round

Brashard Smith, SMU, 5-foot-10, 194 pounds, senior, 22 years old

an abrupt speedster who can turn a small hole into a 50+ yard touchdown
excellent pass catcher out of the backfield who can even be split outside in certain packages
kick returner abilities will make him all the more enticing to teams, especially if he’s in a battle for a roster spot at the end of training camp
with such limited time playing running back he’ll be a developmental project for whichever team picks him

needs to add weight to his frame and strength to his lower body or else his ceiling is probably third-down specialist/gadget player
2024 accolades: First Team All-ACC (media, coaches, AP); Second Team All-ACC (Phil Steele); Second Team All-America (Sporting News, AFCA); Third Team All-America (AP); Fourth Team All-America (Phil Steele); DCTF First Team All-Texas
2024 stats: 235 attempts, 1,332 yards (5.7 ypc), long of 71, 14 rushing touchdowns, 2 fumbles lost; 39 catches, 327 yards (8.4 ypc), long of 33, 4 receiving touchdowns; 14 kick returns, 320 yards (22.9 ypr)

Relative Athletic Score (RAS): 7.02 out of 10.00; 40-yard dash time of 4.39 which rated a 9.73 out of 10.00
Fun fact: was a wide receiver for three seasons at Miami (Fla.) before transferring to SMU; he was also Second Team All-ACC as a kick returner in 2023
The Eagles should draft him in: 4th round