Breaking Down the Eagles' Backfield Situation Ahead of Week 1

The Philadelphia Eagles' leading rusher last season was undrafted rookie Josh Adams, who recorded 511 yards on the ground. That was almost 150 more yards than the next closest rusher, Wendell Smallwood.

It's likely both players won't be on the team in 2019.

The Eagles invested heavily in the position, drafting Miles Sanders in the second round and trading a sixth-round pick for Jordan Howard. The team also re-signed a Doug Pederson favorite in Darren Sproles.

Those three, plus Corey Clement, will make up the running backs room come Week 1, with Howard and Sanders expected to take the lead. Sanders has the juice to be a three-down back, but running backs coach Duce Staley loves to rotate his guys.

Howard should get the bulk of the carries Week 1 against Washington, but it shouldn't take long for Sanders to take the reins. If Sanders proves he can protect the quarterback on blitz pickups, there's no excuse to take him out of the game. He's been far and way the Eagles most talented back this summer.

As for Sproles, he'll play a significant role in the offense this season regardless. Pederson loves Sproles as a change-of-pace, third-down option, and he won't be able to resist the shiftiness of the veteran when push comes to shove.

As it stands, Howard will start the season as the guy for the Birds until Sanders forces the team's hand. He's too talented to play a complementary role to Howard, who averaged a meager 3.7 yards per carry with the Bears last season.

Come the Week 10 bye, expect Sanders to be a three-down back, with Howard relieving him around the goal line and Sproles spelling him for a break every few drives.

No matter who takes the lead this year, Philly's come a long way since last year's running backs room, and they aren't turning back any time soon.