Jacobs with their first round pick Youth Dallas Goedert Jerseys , recent history suggests that’s a risky proposition."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Eagles StoriesScheduleRosterStatsYahoo Eagles NewsYahoo Eagles Team PageYahoo Eagles ReportYahoo Eagles Depth ChartYahoo Eagles TransactionsYahoo Eagles PhotosOdds About Masthead Community Guidelines StubHub 鉁旴reaking NewsThe Eagles' 2019 draft class is finalized 脳NFL DraftHow early should the Eagles draft a running back?New,82commentsAs rumors persist the Eagles could draft Josh Jacobs with their first round pick, recent history suggests that’s a risky proposition.EDTShareTweetShareShareHow early should the Eagles draft a running back?Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY SportsThe Eagles have had a very busy off-season thus far and have improved themselves at a number of different positions.They got better at wide receiver by trading for DeSean Jackson. They improved at defensive tackle by signing Malik Jackson. They maintained their strength at the edge by re-signing Brandon Graham, improved at safety with the addition of Andrew Sendejo, got some depth at linebacker with L.J. Fort, and brought back Ronald Darby to solidify a young core at cornerback. The Eagles also restructured a number of deals and re-signed veterans like Jason Kelce to contract extensions, too.It’s been a good off-season, but one area of need they have not addressed is running back. Le’Veon Bell, Tevin Coleman and Mark Ingram are all off the board, and while Spencer Ware is still out there and trades for Duke Johnson or Jordan Howard could still be coming, the fact the team hasn’t signed or traded for a running back yet indicates they could spend a first or second day pick on the position.Specifically, the Eagles are said to “really like” Alabama tailback Josh Jacobs, and could take him at No. 25. Were the Eagles to do that, would that be a wise move? He’s a polarizing guy.It perhaps isn’t lost on anyone that the Eagles themselves aren’t hiding the fact he’s a target in the first round.Should the Eagles take Jacobs with their first round pick, it would be historic. The Birds have not taken a running in the first round since 1986 when they took Keith Byars out of Ohio State with the 10th pick in the draft.Byars wasn’t much of a runner, which in the ancient days of the mid-1980s, meant that he was largely underrated. But he was the best pass-catching running back in the NFL, a skill that would have made him hugely valuable today. In his seven years with the Eagles he caught 371 passes for 3,352 yards Dallas Goedert Jerseys Stitched , with his best season coming in 1990 when he hauled in 81 passes for 819 yards with a 10.1 yards per reception average. In 1988 and ‘89, he went over 1,000 yards from scrimmage.That’s a productive first-round pick, but the Eagles haven’t dipped their toes into that water since. However, they have spent second and third round picks on running backs since then. Eagles Early Round RB Selections Since 1986YearRdSel#PlayerYearRdSel#PlayerTaking a running back with a Day 1 or 2 pick has been more miss than hit for the Eagles, and they haven’t done it at all since drafting LeSean McCoy in the second round a decade ago. Of the nine players listed above, just four — Charlie Garner, Duce Staley, Brian Westbrook and McCoy — were worthy of their selections. Of course, in the case of Westbrook and McCoy, it’s clear in hindsight both should have been first round selections.But names like Anthony Tony, Siran Stacy and Ryan Moats are enough of a reminder that early-round running backs are huge risks. But how about over the larger NFL? Here are all the running backs taken in the first round over the last decade.1st Round RBs Since 2009YearSel #PlayerYearSel #PlayerAlthough they took him way too early, especially given their needs at QB, Saquon Barkley is a stud and will be a great running back for the Giants for years to come and Michel had a nice rookie season for the Patriots. Penny’s season was more muted, although not totally unproductive, with a 4.9 yards/carry average. Leonard Fournette has failed to live up to expectations at No. 4, but Christian McCaffrey has been highly productive as a No. 8 pick overall.The trio of Ezekiel Elliott, Todd Gurley and Melvin Gordon were a tremendous top-three in 2015, however Youth Isaac Seumalo Jerseys , none of those guys was taken anywhere close to where the Eagles will pick at No. 25. In fact, only two backs taken low in the first round, Doug Martin at 31 and Mark Ingram at 28, have proven to be worthy of their selections over the last 10 years at that spot.It would seem that, with two second round picks, that this would be the round where the Eagles should strike for some backfield help. But recent history demonstrates teams have not had much success here.2nd Round RBs Since 2009 YearSel #PlayerYearSel #PlayerThere have been 27 running backs taken in the second round over the last 10 years, and only two star runners have been drafted in this round, Le’Veon Bell in 2013 and LeSean McCoy in 2009. There have been some solid selections — Nick Chubb, Derrick Henry, Giovani Bernard, and Eddie Lacy to name a few, but overall, the second round has been a collection of mediocrity and disaster.So what about the third round? 3rd Round RBs Since 2009 YearSel #PlayerYearSel #PlayerInterestingly, more talent has come from the 23 running backs taken in the third round since 2009 than in the second.Alvin Kamara and Kareem Hunt are both star talents, although Hunt will miss half of this season due to suspension. David Johnson is a stud, when healthy, DeMarco Murray had some Pro Bowl seasons in Dallas, and Kenyan Drake, Tevin Coleman Isaac Seumalo Jerseys Stitched , and Duke Johnson are all highly productive players, too.Unfortunately, the Eagles don’t have a third round pick this season (see: Golden Tate trade). If they’re going to land a running back, they’ll need to spend their first rounder or one of their two second rounders on a running back, or else wait until Round 4, where Devonta Freeman and Tarik Cohen are among the only backs worth mentioning drafted in that round over the last 10 drafts.Look, the entire NFL Draft is a risk. There is no position where you’re sure to get a sure thing. Given the relative weakness of this year’s backfield class, the Eagles will likely be able to take Jacobs, the top RB in the class, at No. 25, or wait for a slew of running backs in the second round, where they pick No. 53 and 57.It’s a crap shoot. Here’s hoping they get themselves another LeSean McCoy and not another Siran Stacy. Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles threw two interceptions and Philadelphia‘s starting offense struggled again while waiting for quarterback Carson Wentz to return as the Eagles were beaten 5-0 on Thursday night by the Cleveland Browns.Foles was hoping to bounce back from a rough outing against New England last week, when he also injured his right shoulder. His overall statistics were better (13 of 17 for 127 yards) against the Browns (2-1), but he made two poor decisionswhile throwing the first-half picks, was stripped for a fumble and sacked for a safety.Foles emerged as an unlikely star last year when he replaced an injured Wentz and led the Eagles (0-3) to their first Super Bowl title. However, he’s only starting now as Wentz recovers from knee surgery. Wentz recently began working in 11-on-11 drills, but he’s not been cleared for contact and there’s no clear timetable when he’ll play.The Eagles need him. They committed four turnovers, allowed seven sacks and missed a field goal.Cleveland had a familiar quarterback scare.Starter Tyrod Taylor injured his left hand in the first quarter, and the sight of him heading to the sideline sent a shiver through fans in FirstEnergy Stadium. Rookie Baker Mayfield replaced him for two series before Taylor returned. Cleveland’s starter finished 11 of 16 for 65 yards.Mayfield Youth Wendell Smallwood Jerseys , the No. 1 overall pick, played the entire second half and went 8 of 12 for 76 yards and an interception.With Foles behind center, the Eagles’ first-team offense, which was missing wide receivers Alshon Jeffery and Nelson Agholor and running backs Jay Ajayi and Darren Sproles, hasn’t scored a point in three exhibitions.Foles floated a long pass that safety Briean Boddy-Calhoun easily intercepted . Then, with a chance to finally score, Foles forced a throw into a crowd near the goal line and was picked by linebacker Jamie Collins.The Browns were driving for a score when Taylor got hurt.On fourth-and-goal and from Philadelphia’s 1, Taylor rolled left and fired an incompletion into the end zone before falling out of bounds on his left side without contact. He immediately grabbed his left hand and jogged to the sideline to be examined.Taylor spent about 15 minutes in the locker room before coming back to the sideline. He had a brief conversation with coach Hue Jackson, who sent the 29-year-old back onto the field after Mayfield filled in.The Browns intend for Taylor to start this season while Mayfield develops, with the only thing that might alter the plan being an injury — something Cleveland knows all too well while cycling through 28 starting QBs since 1999.NATIONAL ANTHEMEagles starting safety Malcolm Jenkins remained in the tunnel during the national anthem, and defensive end Michael Bennett also was not on the field. Jenkins and Bennett have been among of the league’s most outspoken players during the ongoing controversy over players expressing their political views during “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Jenkins previously stood on the sideline with a raised fist to protest social injustice.WENTZ WATCHWentz worked out on the field hours before kickoff with a group of Eagles receivers. He looked good on his drops while rifling slant routes and quick-hitters.TOUCH DOWNBrowns defensive end Myles Garrett was credited with sacking Foles in the end zone for the game’s first two points.Foles lost his footing while backing up, fell to one knee and was touched by Garrett. Foles completed a pass on the play, but the Browns challenged it and were awarded a safety.GONZOBrowns kicker Zane Gonzalez helped his chances to keep his job with a 54-yard field goal. Gonzalez is competing with Ross Martin.INJURIESEagles: Starting C Jason Kelce limped off after making a block during the opening series. He did agility and stretching drills under the guidance of the training staff and returned for Philadelphia’s next possession.Browns: First-round pick Denzel Ward suffered a back injury in the first quarter and did not return. Ward appeared to get twisted while tackling 250-pound tight end Zach Ertz. Ward, the No. 4 overall pick, was on the field for several minutes before walking off on his own power. … Starting S Damarious Randall did not dress because of a knee injury. He was not on the team’s original “not expected to play” list and may have gotten hurt during warmups. … Rookie WR Antonio Callaway did not dress after missing three practices with a groin injury.UP NEXTEagles: Host the New York Jets on Aug. 30.Browns: Visit the Detroit Lions on Aug. 30.