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Future Eagles Fits: Four explosive RBs to know in the 2027 NFL Draft
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- Future Eagles Fits: Four explosive RBs to know in the 2027 NFL Draft
Future Eagles Fits: Four explosive RBs to know in the 2027 NFL Draft originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Welcome back to Future Eagles Fits , our weekly deep dive into the prospects who could eventually find their way to Philadelphia.
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Every week, we're going inside the tape and looking at prospects through an Eagles-centric lens — breaking down the traits, technique, athletic profile, positional versatility and scheme fit that could ultimately determine whether a player makes sense in Philly. Along the way, we'll also examine how these prospects are being evaluated across the league as draft boards begin to take shape.
While the 2027 NFL Draft remains months away, the tape early on has already provided plenty of clues about where the Eagles could look to add talent next spring.
Through the opening weeks of the campaign, the Eagles backfield has offered plenty to evaluate when it comes to roster construction and long-term depth. Saquon Barkley remains the centerpiece of it all, while Tank Bigsby provides a downhill, physical option capable of contributing to the rotation. However, injuries have been an issue throughout the 2026 campaign already, reinforcing how quickly depth at the position can become a priority. Even with established talent in the room, adding another explosive, complementary piece could be in the fold as the organization evaluates its options for next spring.
Today's ball-carriers are asked to do a whole lot. You need guys who can create explosive plays, run through contact, identify and exploit rushing lanes, as well as contribute in the passing game and pass protect on 3rd down. For the Eagles, finding that combination of physicality, vision and big-play ability could provide a meaningful boost to an offense that has long relied on its ability to establish the run. Florida's Jadan Baugh is likely RB1 in the 2027 class, but there are intriguing options beyond the top of the board if the Eagles want to add juice to the RBs room without necessarily spending a premium selection.
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Here are four RBs to know for the 2027 NFL Draft — two potential Day 2 targets and two Day 3 prospects whose skill sets could make them intriguing fits in Philadelphia.
Day 2: Nate Frazier, Georgia | 5'10", 205 lbs, 4.39 estimated 40 time
Frazier is a highly intriguing prospect because of the combination of explosive speed and physicality that he brings to the position. Georgia has a long history of developing NFL-caliber running backs, and Frazier's aggressive yet fluid and quick running style offers a foundation that should appeal to the Eagles if they idealize a fresh face at the position.
When evaluating Frazier, the first thing that stands out is his willingness to attack the line of scrimmage with conviction. He's a decisive runner who looks to get north and south rather than waste time dancing behind the line, and that mentality can be particularly valuable in an offense that wants to establish the run and consistently generate positive yardage. His ability to press the line, identify an opening and accelerate through the crease gives him an interesting foundation as a between-the-tackles runner. Combining that ability with his speed to the perimeter presents a tall task for even the fastest of defenses as they attempt to chase him down in the open field. He has a unique ability to go both through, and around defenders.
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For the Eagles, Frazier presents an appealing option if the organization wants to maintain its physical identity while adding another back capable of contributing to a meaningful workload. His explosive approach could complement Barkley's more dynamic, open-field skill set while giving the coaching staff another option for early-down carries and short-yardage situations. Philadelphia doesn't necessarily need to find another back who replicates everything Barkley does; finding someone who can consistently produce in a complementary role would be valuable in its own right.
The next step in Frazier's eval as we work towards the spring will be demonstrating that his vision, consistency and ability to create yards when the initial blocking breaks down translate against NFL-caliber defenders. His availability will also be worth monitoring as the season progresses, particularly given the importance of durability at the position.
Day 2: LJ Martin, BYU | 6'2", 217 lbs, 4.47 estimated 40 time
Martin offers a different profile than Frazier, combining a larger frame with the production and experience of a back who has already demonstrated the ability to handle a substantial workload. At 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, the BYU standout has the physical dimensions teams look for in a runner capable of handling between-the-tackles work while maintaining the versatility to contribute across different offensive situations.
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His 2025 campaign established him as one of the more productive backs in the country, with 1,305 rushing yards and 12 trips to paydirt. Martin was named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, and his continued development has made him an intriguing name to monitor as the draft class takes shape.
On tape, Martin initially stands out due to his ability to generate yards after first contact. He has the frame to absorb hits without immediately losing momentum, and his physical running style makes him a difficult player to bring down when he gets a head of steam. He's comfortable working both inside and outside the tackle where his size and willingness to finish runs can help turn modest gains into chunk plays, and his experience handling a significant workload could also provide a team with a useful sample of how he operates as a featured runner rather than strictly as a change-of-pace option.
For Philly, Martin could offer an interesting complement to the existing backfield. His size and downhill approach would give the Eagles another option for physical rushing concepts, while his production suggests the potential to handle a larger role if injuries force the team to redistribute carries.
Martin's evaluation will ultimately depend on how consistently he creates opportunities beyond what his offensive line provides, along with his development as a pass catcher (five catches thus far in 2026 after 36 in 2025) and pass protector.
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Day 3: Ja'Koby Williams, Texas Tech | 5'9", 185 lbs, 4.43 estimated 40 time
Keep an eye on Williams as we move forward as he's an under-the-radar name worth monitoring as the draft process unfolds. The top prospects will naturally draw much of the attention, but players with the opportunity to carve out complementary roles can offer value to organizations evaluating the position beyond the first two days of the draft.
For Williams, the key to his eval will be how effectively he translates his collegiate experience into a role that takes advantage of his vision, decisiveness and ability to create opportunities within the structure of an offense. Running backs don't always need to possess the profile of a featured NFL starter to make an impact, rather it's the ability to identify rushing lanes, making the first defender miss, and finishing runs consistently that can provide a path toward meaningful snaps. For the Eagles, they would have an understandable reason to explore that type of prospect.
With Barkley established as the lead back and Bigsby providing another option, the Eagles could prioritize a player who brings developmental upside and the potential to contribute in specific situations. Adding a younger back would also give the coaching staff another opportunity to build depth while evaluating how the position could evolve over the next several seasons. Williams' path to a draftable role will depend on demonstrating consistent decision-making, improving his ability to handle contact and showing that he can contribute beyond simply carrying the football. If he can establish himself as a reliable runner and demonstrate the ability to contribute on special teams, Williams could emerge as a Day 3 option worth considering.
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Day 3: Jordan Marshall, Michigan | 5'11", 217 lbs, 4.47 estimated 40 time
Marshall represents another developmental option for the Eagles, offering an opportunity to evaluate a young running back from a program with a long history of producing physical, NFL-ready players at the position. Michigan's offensive identity has traditionally emphasized establishing the run, winning at the point of attack and allowing its backs to create opportunities behind a physical offensive line. That environment provides useful context when evaluating how a prospect handles the responsibilities associated with a demanding rushing attack, and how the Eagles have evaluated the position in years prior both from the college and pro side.
Evaluating a young back requires looking beyond the raw production and considering how consistently he identifies the correct rushing lane, responds when a blocking surface changes, or how a player creates positive yardage when the defense closes the initial gap. Those traits often determine whether a prospect can eventually handle a role in an NFL rotation.
His potential fit in Philadelphia comes down to the value of adding another young player who can compete for a spot in the backfield while developing behind established veterans. The Eagles don't necessarily need to use an early pick on a running back to improve their depth, particularly if the organization believes its most pressing needs lie elsewhere. A Day 3 selection could provide a cost-effective way to add competition, develop another option for the rushing rotation and potentially find a player who grows into a larger role over time.
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Marshall's evaluation will depend on his ability to contribute in passing situations. Pass protection, in particular, will be an important part of determining whether he can earn opportunities on offense early in his professional career. If he continues to progress and demonstrates the ability to handle a broader set of responsibilities, Marshall could become an intriguing late-round prospect to watch – should he indeed declare as a true junior – as the pre-draft process unfolds.
Ultimately, the 2027 RB class offers the Eagles and GM Howie Roseman several avenues to consider. Baugh has emerged as the premier prospect in the group alongside Miami's Mark Fletcher Jr, but the Eagles wouldn't necessarily need to spend an early pick to address the position. Frazier and Martin offer potential Day 2 value, while Williams and Marshall represent developmental options who could compete for roles on Day 3.
With Barkley and Bigsby already in the picture, the question isn't simply whether Philadelphia needs another running back — it's whether the right prospect can add another dimension to the offense while providing insurance at a position where depth can quickly become critical, as we've seen play out already so far this fall.
