Philadelphia Eagles: Isaiah Spiller can replace Jordan Howard long-term

The Philadelphia Eagles have to be happy with what Jordan Howard gave them in 2021.

After finding himself a surprise cut coming out of the preseason and spending the vast majority of the regular season on the practice squad, the one-time Chicago Bear made his presence known in the second half of the season with five 50-plus yard performances in his seven games of action on the way to a very respectable 406-yard campaign. While his production did deteriorate down the stretch, with only one touch over the final two games of the season including the playoffs, that had more to do with Nick Sirianni’s rotation than his on-field production.

Currently unemployed, Howard will likely return to the Birds this summer in the hopes of prolonging his NFL career. His attempt to cash in as a member of the Miami Dolphins went horribly and unless someone like Frank Reich or Doug Pederson comes calling, it’s hard to see a better opportunity for the 27-year-old than back in Philadelphia.

With that being said, the idea of drafting the next Jordan Howard should probably be high on the Philadelphia Eagles’ priorities list if for no other reason than to secure a young, ascending rusher for the next four years on a cost-controlled contract. Friends, allow me to introduce you to Isaiah Spiller.

Isaiah Spiller could be a long-time contributor for the Philadelphia Eagles.

As fun as it would be to see, the Philadelphia Eagles are not going to draft either of the top-2 running backs in the 2022 draft class, who are Breece Hall and Kenneth Walker III. While both are ideal fits in Nick Sirianni’s offense and could fill Jonathan Taylor-ish roles as bell cow backs, the Birds have too many holes and their rushing offense was too dominant with everyone from Boston Scott to Jordan Howard and even Kenneth Gainwell to justify using a late first-round pick/early second-round pick on a running back.

Fortunately, Hall and Walker aren’t the only bursty backs who carried massive workloads in college and could have featured back potential in the 2022 NFL Draft. Enter Isaiah Spiller, a bowling ball back who runs like Howard and already has an NFL motor.

Measuring in at 6-foot, 217 pounds, Spiller spent three years as the offensive focal point of Jimbo Fisher’s Texas A&M rushing attack, where he served as the offensive engine for one of the SEC’s better programs. He immediately took the field as a freshman, starting nine of the 13 games he appeared in, and went on to pick up 946 yards on 174 attempts to go with 10 rushing touchdowns and 203 more yards as a receiver as the Aggies’ premier rusher alongside then-quarterback Kellen Mond. From there, Spiller whipped off two-straight 1,000-yard seasons in 2020 and 2021, produced 5.5 yards-per-carry on an average of 183.5 carries per season, and solidified himself as a player worthy of being drafted into the NFL without the need for a fourth college season in College Station.

In college, Spiller did his best work when he put a foot in the ground, made a decisive read, and plowed through the hole opened up by Texas A&M’s offensive lineman. While this can get him in trouble at times, as his patience can lead to missed opportunities to pick up additional yardage, Spiller has the size and power to push through contact and attack the second-level of the defense, where he’s a tough solo tackle for even the bigger linebackers the SEC has to offer.

For teams looking for a high-volume two-down back who projects as a solid option in short-yardage situations, around the goal line, and in pass protection, Spiller is certainly a name to watch just outside of the top-100 picks and could prove to be an effective three-down rusher for a team with a solid, zone-blocking offensive line.

Hmm… that sort of sounds like the Philadelphia Eagles.

Like Howard, Spiller is a big, imposing rusher who maybe runs a bit too upright but is able to gash through defenses like a knife through butter with his slashing style. He could be an impact player on first and second downs, especially in the two-man game with Jalen Hurts, and provide extra utility on obvious passing downs, where he can help to keep his quarterback upright on longer-developing passing concepts. Whether he can become a full-time bell cow back remains to be seen, but every team needs a bigger back like Spiller, especially if they don’t want to pay up for the services of a player like Leonard Fournette.

With only two running backs, Gainwell and Jason Huntley, under contract past the 2022 NFL season, the Eagles’ rushing attack could look very different in 2023 than it looked in 2021. The presence of a running back like Spiller, who is accustomed to a large NFL workload, could help to mitigate the loss of Miles Sanders and Scott in free agency if they opt to leave, or provide a fiscally responsible platoon partner if they are retained at a higher AAV.

What do the Philadelphia Eagles want in a running back? Are they into a LeSean McCoy-style rusher like Miles Sanders, a big-bruiser like LeGarrette Blount, or a player who falls somewhere in-between the two? Assuming it’s either of the final two options, the prospects of adding Isaiah Spiller, whether in the late third round or the early fourth, could provide three-down upside for the price of a backup quarterback and give the team insurance in case their top-3 performers from the 2021 season are playing elsewhere in 2023. Considering his collegiate volume, eyes for the endzone, and three-down upside, that’s a pretty safe bet if you ask me.