Philadelphia Eagles: 3 Affordable Free-Agent Running Backs for the No. 2 Spot

The Philadelphia Eagles have not been very active in free agency.

They traded for DeMeco Ryans, but didn’t go after many free agents, adding only two players that were not with the team during the previous NFL season. Steve Vallos and Mike Gibson both were brought in to add depth to the offensive line, and there’s no guarantee they’ll make the final roster.

With most of the team needs already addressed, Philadelphia is expected to focus on LeSean McCoy’s contract extension (if they can get it done this year) and his backup. Of course, these are not their only worries, but the NFL draft can provide them with depth and promising rookie prospects.

Ronnie Brown was anything but productive for the Eagles in 2011, and probably won’t return to the team for the forthcoming season. There are still plenty of options in free agency for teams looking for a running back. These players can join the Eagles and provide support to LeSean McCoy.

1) Kahlil Bell

Kahlil Bell did a great job last season, when he had to carry the ball for the Chicago Bears, after Matt Forte was severely injured on December 4th and was ruled out for the rest of the season. Until that moment, he was third on the Bears’ depth chart, behind Forte and Marion Barber.

Bell played in 13 games, three of them as a starter. He amassed 337 yards in 79 rushing attempts, averaging 4.3 yards per carry. Even though he didn’t score any rushing touchdowns, Bell was far more impressive than Barber.

Bell is only 25 years old, and he didn’t play a single snap in 2010. He is anything but worn out, and he probably would like to get a chance to prove himself. In Chicago, that’s not likely to happen, with Matt Forte and Michael Bush on the roster.

He is a restricted free agent, but he’s tendered with the minimum qualifying offer, so the Eagles can sign him without losing a draft pick. The Bears have the option to match any offer, however, they‘re not that eager to keep Bell.

2) Maurice Morris

Maurice Morris spent his entire NFL career as a backup running back.

He was with the Seattle Seahawks from 2002 until 2009, when he signed with the Detroit Lions. He had his best season in 2007, when he scored five touchdowns (four rushing and one receiving) and finished with 628 rushing yards.

In 2011, Morris played in all 16 games, but started in just five. His average was four yards per carry and scored just one rushing touchdown.

His numbers have been on a backslide the last few years; still, Morris is regarded a viable backup option. His last contract was a three-year, $7 million deal. At 32, his demands will be lower than $2 million/year.

Even at that age, Morris can be more productive than Ronnie Brown was in 2011.

3) Justin Forsett

Justin Forsett never managed to breakout as a Seahawk, and now he has run out of contract. Picked in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft, Forsett had a hard time to establish himself in Seattle. Even when he became a permanent member of the team, he remained a utility player.

The 26-year-old running back might have not missed a single game in the last three NFL seasons, but he started in only seven—a limited role, without doubt.

In 2011, Forsett rushed 46 times for 145 yards. He got in the endzone once.

It’s hard to believe that Forsett is a real upgrade over Dion Lewis, the current No. 2 running back of the Eagles. Despite that, he might be more efficient as a kick returner, since Lewis struggled many times to reach the 20-yard line.

Philadelphia should be able to sign Forsett without spending more than $1.5 million/year.