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The Eagles have a lot of speed at the running back position, but lost some of their power after dealing Bryce Brown to the Bills. Following the draft, the Eagles signed two backs with differing characteristics. Missouri's Henry Josey is a speedy gadget back, while Toldeo's David Fluellen is an agile power back that can make plays with deceptive speed.
Fluellen shined in the national spotlight at the Reese's Senior Bowl and showed off his talent for the Rockets every weekend of his college career.
College Career
A first-team All-Western New York running back in high school, Fluellen committed to Toledo after flirting with Buffalo in 2010. As a true freshman, Fluellen ran for 224 yards (5.9 YPC) and a touchdown in nine games, but missed four contests due to a knee injury. In 2011, Fluellen appeared in 13 games (three starts) and rushed for 493 yards (5.1 YPC) and four touchdowns.
Fluellen was named a first-team All-MAC selection as a junior and rushed for 124.8 yards per game (eighth in the nation that season). He finished with 1,498 rushing yards (5.8 YPC) and 13 touchdowns in 12 games (11 starts), but missed the final contest of the season with an ankle injury. In his final season at Toledo, Fluellen rushed for 1,121 (6.7 YPC) and 10 rushing touchdowns. He also added 27 catches for 222 receiving yards. He missed three of Toledo's last four games with a small fracture in his ankle. He finished his college career with 3,336 rushing yards and 4,082 all-purpose yards.
Fluellen was invited to the Reese's Senior Bowl and produced eight carries for 44 rushing yards.
Combine Numbers
*Should be noted that Fluellen was recovering from an ankle fracture at the Combine.
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 224 lbs.
Arm Length: 33 3/8"
Hands: 9 1/8"
40: 4.72 seconds
Vertical Jump: 36.5 inches
Broad Jump: 120.0 inches
3 Cone: 6.90 seconds
Strengths
The first thing you will notice with Fluellen on tape is that he has excellent vision. He is a "North to South" runner and is really hard to bring down. Fluellen has the ability to change directions and can sidestep defenders. He has the ability to be used on screens and catch the ball on the run. He can take a hit and bounces off tackles. Fluellen runs with violent cuts and has some shimmy to his game. He was extremely productive in college and produced tons of yardage and scores.
Weaknesses
Fluellen could be more patient in setting up blocks. He is not particularly fast or quick, despite his ability to have breakaway runs. He lacks burst and has a lot of runs that go nowhere or for limited yards. His main issue is his history of ankle and knees injuries. He missed most (if not all) of nine games during his college career with injuries.
How He Fits
Fluellen situation is similar to that of Chris Polk's two years ago. He is a well-known college running back that heavily-produced, but battled injuries throughout his career. Like Polk, Fluellen has serious talent, but the injuries likely forced him to go undrafted because his college career speaks for itself. Fluellen could fill the role of power back that Brown once occupied if he makes the roster. He and Matthew Tucker are the two power runners on the team and they are on the roster for a reason. The battle for the fourth running back will likely come down to Tucker, Josey and Fluellen, unless Polk fails to come back from offseason surgery. Fluellen may have shot at earning snaps with a positive training camp and preseason.
In Action