Philadelphia Eagles add Former Detroit Lion Kerryon Johnson
The Philadelphia Eagles’ backfield seems to get more crowded by the day as they picked up former Detroit Lions running back Kerryon Johnson from waivers on Friday.
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The Eagles now potentially have five backs heading into the 2021 season since they also drafted pass-catching RB Kenny Gainwell out of Memphis with their fifth-round pick. Boston Scott, Jordan Howard, and Miles Sanders make it an even more jumbled group for Johnson to join.
Kerryon Johnson was the odd man out in Detroit playing behind Adrian Peterson and D’Andre Swift last year. The 2018 second-round pick rushed for just 182 yards on 52 carries in 2020 but did play all 16 regular-season games for the Lions.
The biggest impact here could come to last year’s Eagles starter Miles Sanders. Sanders put up a career-high 867 rushing yards in 2020 but missed four games. If the new coaching staff decides the 23-year-old is more suited as a two-down back, his fantasy value would take a big hit. Potentially losing goal-line carries to Howard and snaps to any of Scott, Gainwell or Johnson may be reason enough to debate holding onto Sanders in keeper leagues.
At the FanDuel Sportsbook, Philadelphia has the longest odds to win the NFC East at +550, so it could be a long year for the Eagles offense.