Doug Pederson’s System Needs Ezekiel Elliott at #8

Chase Daniel is an Eagles quarterback. He’s a handsomely paid Eagles “backup” quarterback with salary of $5M this year and $8M the following two seasons. A total of $12M is guaranteed. The consensus is that Daniel is familiar with Doug Pederson’s system and would both be able to compete for a starting job and help teach the system to the other quarterbacks on the roster.

Which begs the question, what is Doug Pederson’s system? Since Daniel was brought in because of his familiarity with it, we can only assume that it’s predicated on the system in Kansas City, where Pederson was the Offensive Coordinator from 2013-2015..

The Doug Pederson system is one that ranked 21st in overall offense in 2013 (10th in Rushing – 24th in Passing.

In 2014, Pederson’s system and the Chiefs ranks 25th overall – 10th in Rushing and 29th in Passing.

In 2015, that same system ranked 27th overall – 6th in Rushing and 29th in Passing.

In the past two years, the Chiefs have ranked in the top 10 in rushing attempts and near the bottom in passing attempts.

Obviously, we would have to believe that Doug Pederson’s system will be similar. If it wasn’t, there would be no need for Chase Daniel.

The Chiefs/Pederson offense changed dramatically once Jamal Charles went down with injuries. Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West had some flashes, but combined they only had two 100 yard rushing games for a team that had the sixth most rushing attempts.

The Eagles currently have running back Ryan Matthews on the roster. He’s proven that he cannot handle the load (yeah, I said it) of being the primary back without a high chance of injury. They also have 33 year-old Darren Sproles and the unproven Kenjon Barner.

For Pederson’s system, they’re gonna have to upgrade this position. That’s why at #8 if Ezekiel Elliott is still on the board, he should be the Eagles selection. I’m not alone in this belief. While researching stats this morning for this piece, articles at PhillyInfluencer.com and NJ.com have also come out mentioning Elliott.

I’m well aware that running backs are an after-thought for most these days. Hell, a couple of years had gone by without a running back being selected in the Top 20 of the first round until Todd Gurley this past year.

I get it. In most systems, the running back has been reduced to a running back by committee. There is the two-down back. And then there is the 3rd down or passing running back. They’ve almost become specialists. Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell with the Jets are a good example. That’s not because the position of running back has lost its importance, but more so because three-down backs are as a rare as Ben Revere home-runs.

That’s where Ezekiel Elliott is different. He’s the total package. He’s the best RB prospect since Adrian Peterson. Would you take AP at #8 if he was there in this year’s draft? I would, in a nanosecond. Ignoring, of course, the hitting of his kid with the switch. We’re talking on-field performance here.

Urban Meyer said of Elliott:

“he’s the best player I’ve ever coached without the ball in his hand.”

Elliott was the highest graded blocking back in the nation last year. In 108 pass-blocking snaps, Elliott gave up one sack.

The Ohio State passing game was far from lethal. Opposing defense pretty much had one mission, stop Elliott. Yet, he still racked up 1829 yards and averaged 6.3 yards a carry.

I know the offensive line struggled this past year.  The Eagles signing of Brandon Brooks at guard is a huge upgrade. Another guard is obviously needed. Allen Barbre is more of a backup. There are no guards worthy of a Top 10 pick. In actuality, good guards often go undetected. The Panthers and Cowboys both had two of the higher ranked offensive lines and both had guards that went undrafted in Andrew Norwell and La’el Collins. In fact, both of those stellar lines only had one lineman drafted in the top 10, Tyron Smith of the Cowboys at 9th overall.

People are calling for the drafting of Ronnie Stanley, the offensive tackle from Notre Dame, at the #8 position. Drafting offensive tackles isn’t what it once was. According to a MMQB article the list of tackles taken in the top 10 from 1995-2000 included:

• Tony Boselli, 1995, Jacksonville.
• Jonathan Ogden, 1996, Baltimore.
• Orlando Pace, 1997, St. Louis.
• Walter Jones, 1997, Seattle.
• Kyle Turley, 1998, New Orleans.
• Chris Samuels, 2000, Washington.

Three Hall of Famers (Ogden, Jones, Pace), a fourth (Boselli) who may one day be a Hall of Famer, and two former first-team all-pros (Samuels, Turley). Six for six. Every one was a top player at his position. That is a stunning run of success at any position.

That same article goes on to indicated that in the past ten years 17 tackles have been selected in the top 10. Only 3 were ever first-team all-pro.  Only Joe Thomas of Cleveland and Dallas’ Smith remain current starters. The other was Jake Long. One has to be skeptical about Stanley or any other tackles in the first round. Remember, Jason Peters was undrafted.

For me, if Elliott is there at #8, it’s a no-brainer. He’s the total package and definitely one of the best eight players in the country. He also happens to fill a glaring need in the Eagles and Doug Pederson’s system, which we’ve demonstrated to rely heavily on the run.

If Howie is as good as Lurie thinks he is, then he should be able to find solid offensive line talent in the later rounds. He was part of a front office that has done it in the past with the likes of Kelce. I trust he can do it again.

For me, if Elliott is there at #8, it’s a no-brainer. He’s the total package and definitely one of the best eight players in the country.

As NFL.com says:

Elliot should still come out of the gates as one of the most productive young running backs in the league.

Ezekiel Elliott, though, is a rare talent that would immediately help the Eagles passing game. Some say he’s a once in a decade player.  Sign me up. If any other head coach was running the Eagles, I may think differently. History has shown us that Pederson’s system needs a stud RB like Jamaal Charles. Ezekiel Elliott just can’t wear the half shirt if he becomes an Eagle. One year of Kiko was enough.

Let’s just hope the Cowboys don’t grab Elliott at #4. That would suck.