NFL Draft Picks 2017: Grade the Eagles’ selection of Donnel Pumphrey

The Philadelphia Eagles traded up to select San Diego State running back Donnel Pumphrey at pick No. 132 in the 2017 NFL Draft.

The Eagles waited until their second pick in the fourth round to address the running back position. They badly needed to add another rusher because heading into Day 3 of the draft their depth chart looked like this:

1 - Darren Sproles - 34-year-old scatback who will retire after 2017

2 - Wendell Smallwood - Oft-injured in 2016 and essentially called a role-player by Doug Pederson

3 - Terrell Watson - One NFL game played since entering the league in 2015

(Note: I excluded Ryan Mathews since he’s expected to be cut.)

Pumphrey certainly gives the Eagles more talent in the backfield. He was very, very productive in college despite his size at 5-8, 176 pounds.

Many have referred to Pumphrey as the next Sproles. That’s not really a perfect comparison, but it’s easy to see how the Eagles could use Pumphrey in a Sproles role moving forward.

While I don’t mind that the Eagles added Pumphrey, I’m not crazy about the fact that they still don’t have a true lead back. Pumphrey projects to be another rotational backfield option who can also contribute in the passing game. It’s nice to see the Eagles have a replacement for Sproles, but I’m still left wanting more.

My grade for this pick is a B- rating. How about you? Vote in the poll below.