Is Kenneth Gainwell Or Will Shipley The RB2 For The Eagles?

June 16, 2024

Who will be the RB2 for the Eagles in 2024? Mike Fanelli takes a look at the credentials of each candidate to see who is likely the No. 2 running back.

The Philadelphia Eagles have one of the top offenses in the NFL. Jalen Hurts is a talented passer, totaling over 3,700 passing yards in back-to-back seasons. More importantly, the superstar quarterback has been a massive part of Philadelphia's rushing attack with 28 touchdowns in 32 games over the past two years.

While the Eagles got a career year from Miles Sanders in 2022 and D'Andre Swift in 2023, that didn’t stop them from making a blockbuster move at the running back position this offseason. They signed Saquon Barkley to a three-year deal in free agency, making him their lead running back.

Yet, Barkley wasn’t the only addition Philadelphia made to the backfield this offseason. The Eagles used a fourth-round pick in the NFL Draft on Will Shipley. He will join Kenneth Gainwell in the backfield behind Barkley. However, which running back is the team’s RB2?

Is Kenneth Gainwell Or Will Shipley The RB2 For The Eagles?

Gainwell has been the No. 2 running back in Philadelphia for the past few years. However, he hasn’t seen a significant role behind the starter. The former Memphis back has averaged 68.3 rushing attempts for 298.3 yards and 3.7 touchdowns per season in his career. Gainwell has also been a solid factor in the passing game, averaging 28.7 receptions on 38.7 targets for 201.7 receiving yards per year.

Meanwhile, Shipley is a similar running back. He averaged over five yards per rushing attempt at Clemson. Furthermore, Shipley had 11 or more rushing touchdowns in two of his three college seasons and had 85 receptions for 602 receiving yards and two touchdowns in college. He has shown off his pass-catching abilities this offseason.

Will Shipley catching a pass #Eagles pic.twitter.com/Z01Dipjx4b

— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrCBS) May 22, 2024

Should Fantasy Football Players Draft Either Eagles Running Back?

While both running backs are solid NFL players, neither are fantasy-relevant options for fantasy players. Barkley will be the featured guy for the Eagles. He already looks at home in Philadelphia. More importantly, the team has given its No. 1 running back 68.5% of the rushing attempts and 48.7% of the targets out of the backfield over the past two years.

Running back Saquon Barkley #Eagles pic.twitter.com/vHcMfogA88

— Chris Franklin (@cfranklinnews) May 22, 2024

Unfortunately, neither running back can fill Barkley's shoes if the superstar misses time. Gainwell and Shipley will have a role if Barkley is unable to play. Therefore, fantasy players shouldn't draft either backup running back this summer. However, I would recommend drafting Shipley if you are determined to draft a handcuff. The rookie offers more upside in the run game than Gainwell.

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