How will the Eagles’ trade for Jordan Howard impact the NFL draft?

By Bryan Perez | Apr 1, 2019

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 06: Jordan Howard #24 of the Chicago Bears carries the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles in the second quarter of the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Soldier Field on January 06, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

The Philadelphia Eagles’ trade for RB Jordan Howard should have a direct impact on when the first running back is selected in the 2019 NFL draft.

The Philadelphia Eagles acquired former Chicago Bears RB Jordan Howard last week for a 2020 sixth-round pick (which could become a fifth-rounder depending on production) in a move that will have a ripple effect on the 2019 NFL draft.

The Eagles were one of the teams most likely to spend their first-round pick — No. 25 overall — on a running back and most mock drafts had Alabama’s Joshua Jacobs as their choice. But the addition of Howard could change everything in Philadelphia, especially because of other more pressing needs on the roster.

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For example, the Eagles will be in prime position to add a defensive back or offensive tackle in their current draft slot, and there will be fantastic value at wide receiver in case they want to give QB Carson Wentz more weapons on the outside.

If nothing else, Howard gives Philadelphia incredible draft-day flexibility. He may not be a game-changing talent on the field, but he’s proven to be more than capable as a feature running back. In 2016, for example, he finished second in the NFL in rushing with 1,313 yards. The Eagles would take that kind of production in a heartbeat.

Before the Howard trade, Philadelphia was one of maybe three or four teams that could dive into the running-back pool in the first round. The Raiders (No. 24 and 27) and Colts (No. 26) are the other best-bets in a run of picks from 24 through 27.

Can we rule out a running back all together in Round 1 for the Eagles, though? Could Philadelphia’s trade for Howard be nothing more than their way of throwing teams off their trail as they pursue a player like Jacobs in the first round? I think that’s highly unlikely, but when it comes to the NFL draft, anything’s possible.

Other running back prospects the Eagles can target later in the draft include Penn State’s Miles Sanders (second round), Iowa State’s David Montgomery (2nd-3rd round) and Alabama’s Damien Harris (2nd-3rd round).