Section 215
Fansided

Philadelphia Eagles: 3 ways Kenneth Gainwell will make an impact in ’21

By David Esser

Dec 28, 2019; Arlington, Texas, USA; Memphis Tigers running back Kenneth Gainwell (19) runs the ball against Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Cam Brown (6) in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2019; Arlington, Texas, USA; Memphis Tigers running back Kenneth Gainwell (19) runs the ball against Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Cam Brown (6) in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
Philadelphia Eagles Kenneth Gainwell
Memphis running back Kenneth Gainwell breaks throgu the backfield against SMU at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019.W 27269 /

Ability to assume RB1 duties, if needed.

Last but most definitely not least, Gainwell has the running profile of someone who could assume RB1 duties if Miles Sanders were to go down to injury at any point this season.

Obviously we’re all hoping Sanders gives the Philadelphia Eagles a full 17* games this season, but it’d be irresponsible to not highlight the fact that he’s struggled with injuries throughout his young NFL career.

This has often left the Eagles scrambling for running back production. Scott has been used as the feature back at times, and the likes of Corey Clement and Jay Ajayi even saw carries over the past two seasons due to Sanders missing time.

Ranked as their fifth overall running back prospect in this year’s draft class, “The Draft Network” was rather high on Gainwell’s ability to blossom into a feature back. They did highlight that he likely needs to put on some weight between now and Week 1, but for the most part, he’s viewed as a running back who could come in and see 20+ carries a game if necessary.

Next. Philadelphia Eagles: What role will CB Zech McPhearson play in 2021?. dark

Hopefully the Eagles are able to get a fully healthy season out of both Sanders and Gainwell this season, creating some sort of elite two-headed running monster. But if that’s not the case, I’m rather confident that the team’s newest rookie RB can hold down the fort for a few weeks.

Home/Philadelphia Eagles