Here's What the Eagles Need to Do With Their Surplus of Running Backs

Prior to the start of the new league year, the Philadelphia Eagles touted a rather deep running back corps. Even after moving on from Jay Ajayi and the question marks surrounding Darren Sproles' status, the team added more rushers to their offense.

Philadelphia traded a late-round pick for Jordan Howard of the Chicago Bears and drafted Penn State's Miles Sanders in the second round.

When adding Howard and Sanders to a depth chart already comprised of Corey Clement, Wendell Smallwood, Josh Adams, Boston Scott, and Donnel Pumphrey, that leaves the team with a lot of mouths to feed.

So how do the Eagles solve this rather unenviable situation?

It goes without saying that Howard and Sanders will be at the top of the running back order throughout the upcoming season.

Corey Clement will be the certified third back on the depth chart, as he's expected to be ready for Week 1 after suffering a knee injury late last season. Clement will own the responsibility of entering the game on passing downs, while Howard and Sanders handle the ground-and-pound duties. Clement has proven to be a valuable and reliable piece, especially after his heroics in the team's Super Bowl win.

That leaves Smallwood, Adams, Scott, and Pumphrey on the outside looking in. Smallwood and Adams have the advantage in terms of their success last season (4.2 and 4.3 yards/game, respectively). In that case, use the preseason as a competition for the fourth running back spot. Whoever loses the battle will end up on the practice squad or claimed by another team.

Scott and Pumphrey are the most likely to be let go by the Eagles, considering their spots at the bottom of the depth chart.

While it seems like a problematic logjam, it's really not when you break it down and realize who is going to serve what purpose.