Jay Ajayi Trade: Eagles acquire Dolphins running back in exchange for draft pick

WHOA, the Eagles have a new running back! NFL insider Ian Rapoport is reporting the Philadelphia has traded a fourth-round draft pick to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for Jay Ajayi! The Eagles have since officially confirmed the trade.

Everyone kept saying the Eagles were going to be active before the NFL trade deadline, but no one saw this one coming.

Ajayi, a fifth-round pick in 2015, is a talented player who is signed through 2018. The 24-year-old has rushed for nine touchdowns and 1,924 yards on 447 career carries over three seasons. He also has 48 receptions for 308 receiving yards. Ajayi was named to the Pro Bowl after rushing for eight scores and 1,272 yards (4.9 average) in 2016.

Ajayi is only averaging 3.4 yards per carry this season, but Miami’s offensive line ranks 28th in run blocking by Football Outsiders. And it’s not like defenses had to be worried about the Dolphins’ quarterbacks.

The Eagles have gotten some decent production out of LeGarrette Blount this season but none of their current running backs are legitimate No. 1 options. The lack of a true lead back was a big concern heading into the season. Now they have Ajayi, Blount, Wendell Smallwood, Corey Clement, and Kenjon Barner on the roster.

Philadelphia is obviously off to a great start this season at 7-1. They have the making of a Super Bowl contender. Howie Roseman is being aggressive and trying to make the team even better for a potential playoff run.

As for the pick involved in this deal, the Eagles already had three fourth-round selections in the 2018 NFL Draft. Rapoport reports Philly will give the Dolphins their second highest of the trio. As of right now, that would either be the pick from the Patriots or the Vikings. So, a late fourth.