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The Philadelphia Eagles FINALLY did it. They went out and acquired a running back by trading conditional Day 3 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft to the Chicago Bears.
My quick take is that this is a move that makes sense for the Eagles. Acquiring Howard fills a big need at a low cost.
We’ll have more in-depth analysis and reaction here at Bleeding Green Nation (both in the form of blog posts and podcasts) to the Howard trade coming soon. In the meantime, here are some instant reactions that are worth a look. Certanly some positive reviews thus far. (Also make sure you check out Eagles players welcoming Howard to Philly.)
Jordan Howard (2,057) is one of only four @NFL RBs with 2,000+ rushing yards since 2017, joining Todd Gurley (2,556), Ezekiel Elliott (2,417) and Kareem Hunt (2,151).
— John Gonoude (@john_gonoude) March 29, 2019
Howard and Elliott are the only RBs with 900+ rushing yards in each of the last three seasons.#FlyEaglesFly
Jordan Howard is one of only two @NFL RBs with 9+ rushing TDs in each of the last two seasons, joining Todd Gurley.
— John Gonoude (@john_gonoude) March 29, 2019
His 18 rushing TDs since 2017 are tied for the 3rd-most in the @NFL, behind Gurley (30) and Alvin Kamara (22).#FlyEaglesFly
A glimpse at what Jordan Howard has to offer#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/riMnJ3WCJC
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) March 29, 2019
Why the #Eagles are better with RB Jordan Howard: short-yardage power. He converted a solid 23 of 31 runs of third- and fourth-and 2 or fewer yards in '18, a 74 percent convert rate. Zeke Elliott converted 35-46, a convert rate of 76 percent. And the TD rate in career strong
— Dave Spadaro (@EaglesInsider) March 29, 2019
In 7 carries on 3rd or 4th down and 1 or 2, Josh Adams had -8 yards, and no first downs. https://t.co/ks5ShTzTEZ
— Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) March 29, 2019
#Eagles offense
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 29, 2019
QB - Carson Wentz
RB - Jordan Howard
WR - Alshon Jeffery
WR - DeSean Jackson
WR - Nelson Agholor
TE - Zach Ertz
TE - Dallas Goedert
Joe Douglas was obviously with the Bears when Chicago drafted Jordan Howard.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 29, 2019
But #Eagles RB coach Duce Staley also showed interest in Howard leading up to the 2016 NFL Draft. pic.twitter.com/oPjjDu3DZa
If it's this Jordan Howard we're getting.. Nice. Not sure what last year was but he wasnt what I'd seen from him before. https://t.co/NK2JO5aSGF
— Michael Kist (@MichaelKistNFL) March 29, 2019
I am in no way a Jordan Howard fan but late round picks don’t often become Jordan Howard so
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) March 29, 2019
Been impressed with Jordan Howard since the combine -- his attitude and preparation alone were notable! https://t.co/PmK9ldcOhQ
— Alexis Chassen (@Lovelybuckeye) November 1, 2016
I have been writing about Jordan Howard since he transferred to Indiana in 2015 and I've been a big fan ever since -- thrived despite UAB collapsing, made smart decisions for the longevity of his legs, and impressed me with his interview at the Combine
— Alexis Chassen (@Lovelybuckeye) March 29, 2019
In fact, since 2016, Jordan Howard ranks 3rd in the league in total rushing yards after contact. pic.twitter.com/n6KtO1SkHt
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) March 29, 2019
Jordan Howard is a tell when he's in the ball game... but the Eagles just went through this with Josh Adams (120 carries compared to 7 catches on 13 targets).
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) March 29, 2019
They are cool with using RBs in roles and banking on their great OL.
Smart pickup by Roseman. Trade a 6th and pay $2M this year for known quantity like Howard and then likely recoup a higher pick when he leaves as a UFA next offseason https://t.co/J7uOGiMCJc
— Kevin Cole (@Cole_Kev) March 29, 2019
Trading for contract-yr players was once discouraged; they could be 1 & done w/ acquiring team.
— Evan Silva (@evansilva) March 29, 2019
But fwd-thinking teams caught onto comp-pick loophole as comp-pick value rose when comp picks became trade-able in 2017.
Smart teams now *proactively* trade for contract-yr players.
The Eagles finally got their RB, Jordan Howard from Chicago. My thoughts on another strong move by Howie Roseman. https://t.co/mdJVSqi4f7
— Tommy Lawlor (@lawlornfl) March 29, 2019
JORDAN HOWARD! WELCOME TO PHILLY! pic.twitter.com/9gsVyV8u96
— Made For Philly (@MadeForPhilly) March 29, 2019
Early 2019 Eagles RB Jordan Howard #clayprojections:
— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) March 29, 2019
222 carries, 895 yards, 7 TD
17 receptions, 127 yards, 1 TD
Howard was very effective early in his career, but his efficiency fell off quite a bit while running out of shotgun a ton in Nagy's offense last season. Of course, the Eagles also use a ton of shotgun, so the transition will be interesting.
— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) March 29, 2019
The Eagles are very similar to the Patriots in that they put their RBs in a position to succeed “where they win” (to borrow from @JoshNorris).
— Joe Dolan (@FG_Dolan) March 29, 2019
Howard is not a three-down back. The Eagles won’t ask him to be.
Howard has so much more value in Philly than he did in Chicago, where he was clearly on the outs. He will play a Blount-like role. Will not preclude Philly from re-signing Sproles or drafting a back high.
— Joe Dolan (@FG_Dolan) March 29, 2019
Most rushing yards in NFL since 2016:
— Dave Zangaro (@DZangaroNBCS) March 29, 2019
Ezekiel Elliott: 4,048
Todd Gurley: 3,441
Jordan Howard: 3,370
In his first three NFL seasons, Jordan Howard has rushed for 3,370 yards and 24 TDs. He’s one of 21 players in NFL history to do that — 10 of them are in HoF.
— Dave Zangaro (@DZangaroNBCS) March 29, 2019
Not saying he’s in that class — he clearly isn’t — but Howard has had impressive production early in his career.
If you are the kind of person who thinks the Eagles need a three-down running back, the Eagles still need a three-down running back.
— Bo Wulf (@Bo_Wulf) March 29, 2019
I would be very surprised if Howard's arrival prevented the #Eagles from drafting a running back early. Frankly, they've done a ton of research on the position and Howard wasn't acquired for anything major (that may even be an understatement). I'll hold off judgment until then.
— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) March 29, 2019
I wouldn’t think of this deal as #Eagles finding a major weapon or piece for the long haul at all. First and second down RB mostly.
— Geoff Mosher (@GeoffMosherNFL) March 29, 2019
#Eagles didn’t want to give up a draft pick from this year or affect their compensatory formula for next year. This avoids that. https://t.co/JaBTzPLSSP
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) March 29, 2019
The Eagles will never have/need a “number one running back”. As long as Doug is there, they will always use a rotation and want a mix of power, speed, catching ability.
— Alex Smith (@Alex_SmithPHI) March 29, 2019
Just like 2017.
Jordan Howard is new Blount
— Kyle (@IgglesNest) March 29, 2019
Howard is physically unimpressive but he knows how to play the RB position the right way. That’s my take. A mid-round rookie RB should be the next move. https://t.co/MF326qBlwj
— @Juicemin13 (@juicemin13) March 29, 2019
Eagles traded a 4th-round pick for a 24-year old Jay Ajayi. At that time, Ajayi had career totals of 1,924 yards (4.3 YPC) and 10 TDs.
— Anthony DiBona (@ByADiBona) March 29, 2019
They just traded a 5th-round pick (at best) for 24-year old Jordan Howard with career totals of 3,370 yards (4.3 YPC) and 24 TDs. #HowieSzn
Jordan Howard allowed 2 pressures on 92 pass blocking snaps this season, giving him the highest Pass Blocking Efficiency of any running back with at least 30 pass blocking snaps#Bears pic.twitter.com/P2zD7rU9wg
— PFF CHI Bears (@PFF_Bears) March 25, 2019
The Eagles' 3 trades in 2019, summed up in one shot: pic.twitter.com/gjghuMP8lQ
— Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) March 29, 2019