Philadelphia Eagles: Full Breakdown and Depth Chart Analysis at Running Back

It's not often a team trades away a Pro Bowl player and actually manages to improve at that position, yet that's exactly what the Philadelphia Eagles did at running back this offseason. Yes, LeSean McCoy is a top-five back in the NFL, but after the signings of DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews, it's hard to argue he'll be missed.

In fact, there probably isn't a better fleet of ball-carriers in the league today than Philadelphia's trio of Murray, Mathews and the returning Darren Sproles. All three players have been to the Pro Bowl. All three can do whatever is asked, including catch the ball out of the backfield and pass protect.

It seems the only question is: How will the Eagles manage to keep three backs involved in the offense?

No doubt, how the Eagles intend to rotate their runners will be monitored closely all season long. Then again, head coach Chip Kelly has already dropped some hints as to how Murray, Mathews and Sproles will be utilized in 2015. From that, we can begin to formulate the depth chart and make an educated guess at how many touches for each.

1. DeMarco Murray

Murray's place at the top of the depth chart seems to be solidified by two simple facts. First, he is the NFL's reigning rushing champion. Then there's the five-year, $40 million contract he signed in March, according to Spotrac.

That being said, it will be interesting to see if Murray is deployed as a true workhorse as he was last season with the Dallas Cowboys. My read on the situation is not as long as Mathews is also in the lineup.

	McCoy ATT/GM	%	Other RB ATT/GM	%
2014	19.5	75.2%	6.4	24.8%
2013	19.6	78.5%	5.4	21.5%

The past two seasons in Philadelphia, McCoy was clearly the bell-cow back, carrying the ball over 300 times both seasons, or nearly 20 times per game. All other backs combined for 189 during that span, or just shy of six attempts per game. It's safe to say Murray will not carry three or four times to every one for Mathews and Sproles.

If Mathews is unavailable for any reason, Murray could take on more of a McCoy-sized role in the offense. More likely, the Eagles will try to keep everybody fresh, which means Murray might be looking at somewhere in the neighborhood of 250 rushing attempts in 2015.

2. Ryan Mathews

Kelly actually intimated how much work will be left for Mathews and Sproles back in March. Speaking at the press conference to introduce Murray in March on the team website, the head coach balked at the idea that his No. 1 back will be leaned on as heavily as he was in Dallas last season.

"I would hope DeMarco does not have to carry the ball 392 times this year," Kelly said. "If he does, then we’re running it 692 times."

	GMS	YDS/GM	YDS/ATT	TD
Murray	53	85.4	4.8	28
Mathews	60	67.7	4.4	23

If we were to read between the lines, Kelly is suggesting there will be an additional 300 carries to split between Mathews and Sproles in addition to whatever Murray gets. And if, like McCoy, we use Sproles' workload in 2014—57 carries—to gauge his potential role in the offense this season, that would suggest there might be around 250 attempts for Mathews as well.

If that truly is the case, Murray and Mathews will be more of a 1A and 1B.

Kelly may have exaggerated slightly, but it's clear Mathews' touches will make up a sizable part of the game plan every week. The former San Diego Charger has star potential himself, so it makes sense he would be featured heavily in the offense, if not equal to Murray.

3. Darren Sproles

It's almost criminal to list Sproles as the third-string back. He's really more of a hybrid weapon that will be used situationally. That being said, due to Sproles' age and stature (31 years old, 5'6"), we're never going to see him as a full-time player, effectively making him third-string.

	RUSH	YDS	REC	YDS
2014	57	329	40	387
2011-13	62.7	355.7	77.3	660.3

Wherever Sproles is on the depth chart, his role seems certain to be adjusted this season. 2014 marked the fewest receptions the 11th-year veteran recorded in a season since becoming a regular player in '08. However, with Murray and Mathews taking on the bulk of the running duties, Sproles is likely to see an increase in action as a receiver.

Kelly admitted as much at the Murray presser, referring to Sproles as a "Swiss army knife" that can be used a million different ways. No doubt, he'll still be counted on to provide explosive carries as well, but don't be surprised if Sproles also moves around the formation a lot more in 2015 than he did his first season with the Eagles.

4. Matthew Tucker

It will be interesting to see whether the Eagles opt to carry four running backs. Obviously, a fourth back would see little work in the running game unless there's an injury. Then again, a player such as Tucker could have value as a solid special teams contributor.

Tucker has spent the past two seasons on Philadelphia's practice squad, so he clearly has the upper hand on the rest of the competition. He enjoyed a cup of coffee with the main roster at one point as well, appearing in two games in 2013.

Ultimately, his ability to win a job will be won or lost based on how strong he can be as a specialist. The Eagles don't necessarily need another back, although it is probably worth mentioning that Murray and Mathews have experienced durability issues throughout their careers.

5. Kenjon Barner

Barner is likely closer to being out of the league than making the Eagles roster. The 2013 sixth-round pick has some value as a punt returner, but the Birds have plenty of those, and his seven yards on six career rushing attempts in the NFL have failed to impress.

Obviously, the body of work is minuscule, and the hope was the Oregon product might find his way being back in Kelly's offense. Still, unless Sproles is injured, it's hard to see much use for Barner, a dynamic player in a similar mold. Other than returns, he doesn't contribute on special teams, so it undoubtedly will be an uphill battle to crack this particular group of running backs, to say the least.

6. Raheem Mostert

An undrafted free agent out of Purdue, Mostert begins his NFL journey at the bottom of the depth chart. That being said, I'm not sure he doesn't have more value to the Eagles than Barner.

Mostert only carried the ball 136 times in his college career. However, his CBSSports.com scouting report notes he was a "special teams standout," which no doubt is what appealed to Kelly and the Eagles. If he's strong enough in that aspect of the game, he could even become a threat to Tucker.

More likely, Mostert is a candidate for the practice squad, although an intriguing one. Perhaps a year or two from now, he could find himself in Tucker's shoes, pushing for a roster spot.