While running back Saquon Barkley was the primary catalyst for the Eagles’ Super Bowl championship last year, the team did lose important RB depth when Kenneth Gainwell signed with the Steelers in free agency. Almost immediately thereafter, Philadelphia signed former Packer AJ Dillon, whose history of production as a staple of the Green Bay rushing attack led many to believe he would become Barkley’s primary backup.
However, that may not be the case. Per Geoff Mosher of PhillyVoice.com, 2024 fourth-rounder Will Shipley impressed in OTAs, and he offers more playmaking upside than Gainwell. Gainwell, though, was prized for his abilities in pass protection and blitz pickups, skills that Shipley will have to develop. If he can add that dimension to his strong hands and explosiveness, he could have the inside track on the RB2 gig.
In that scenario, Dillon may be on the outs, with Mosher saying the Boston College product is not a lock to make the 53-man roster. Now 27, Dillon remained with the Packers last year via the seldom-used four-year qualifying offer, which paid him just $2.74MM. Unfortunately, he landed on season-ending injured reserve in late August, which forced him to miss the entire 2024 campaign (OverTheCap.com confirms Dillon’s current deal with the Eagles is for the league minimum).
Dillon’s IR placement was due to nerve issues in this neck. While Mosher does not suggest the 2020 second-rounder is still dealing with those issues, the fact remains that he is a between-the-tackles bruiser who does not not have Gainwell’s pass protection capabilities or Shipley’s big-play potential. Plus, after averaging 4.3 yards per carry over 419 totes during his first three NFL seasons, Dillon dipped to a 3.4-YPC rate in 2023. That made him a speculative cut candidate last summer, even before his neck problems surfaced.
He still profiles as a useful short-yardage and red zone threat if he is healthy, so the Shipley/Dillon battle will be worth monitoring in training camp. And, if Shipley cannot develop the skills expected of a third-down back, the Eagles may need to recalibrate their offensive scheme to an extent.
Behind Dillon and Shipley on the RB depth chart are a host of unproven options like Keilan Robinson – a recent waiver -wire addition who was likely brought in for his special teams ability – and 2025 UDFAs Montrell Johnson and ShunDerrick Powell. That lack of depth would seem to heighten Dillon’s chances of at least cracking the roster if no outside addition is made.
What a battle.
Didn’t even realize they had him. I think Shipley will be the guy that stays he can catch and showed burst in that 1 big run in the last regular season game. Dillon has a lot of wear and tear.
Well yeah.
The Eagles don’t necessarily prioritize roles the same way we’d expect them to, and sometimes that hurts them.
Having a big back like Dillon to split carries with Saquon would certainly be ideal but they don’t care about size the way they should. They’ll run their smallest backs between the tackles on goal line or third or fourth and short situations.
Gainwell definitely has more playmaking ability than Shipley though. He split time every game in college between WR and RB. The Eagles just misused him.
With Barkley and Dillon the Eagles are prioritizing ball security and that will always pay a nice dividend. I don’t know anything about Shipley but Gainwell provides weak ball security so he won’t be missed.
Well that’s nonsense. He was a pretty solid back.
I’m a huge fan of Shipley. I hope to see him get the RB2
Dillon was done two years ago. Time to move into a scouting position. Likely in Green Bay.
Dillon is such a great guy. I was pulling for him in Green Bay but he just was a bust as a day two pick. I hope he can meet the moment in Philly but if not, he is always welcome back to the Motherland as the Mayor of Door County!