Donnel

Pumphrey

A fourth-round pick by the Eagles last year, Pumphrey has struggled to stick on a roster to this point in his career, but this is still notable given Philly’s struggles at running back and Darren Sproles’ lingering hamstring injury.

Pumphrey (5’8/176) twice earned Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year as the NCAA’s all-time leading rusher, graduating with a career 1,059-6,405-62 (6.0 YPC) stat line on the ground and 99 receptions. Pumphrey displayed plus straight-line speed (4.48) in Indy, but performed miserably in the vertical (33 ½") and broad (9’9") jumps and managed five bench-press reps of 225 pounds. An exciting college back who simply lacks NFL-level traits, Pumphrey would do well to carve out a Dexter McCluster-type career.

“Don’t want to overstate what happens in June,” Berman tweeted, “but Eagles are prepping him for a role.” Pumphrey’s path to significant touches is blocked by Darren Sproles, but the Eagles have used the duo together at times during the offseason program, a prospect which should keep opposing defensive coordinators awake at night. Even if he is unable to return fantasy value this year, Pumphrey’s future looks bright as the heir apparent to Sproles.

Pumphrey has the running back label next to his name on the depth chart, but he is a versatile weapon in the mold of Darren Sproles. “I’m going to have to show that I can move around and do a lot of different things because this is going to be Sproles’ last year,” Pumphrey said. “I’m just trying to stay under his wing and learn from him.” The diminutive back will struggle for fantasy value behind Sproles this season, but it sounds like he is being groomed to take over for the veteran next year. Pumphrey is an great stash in Dynasty formats.

Kempski didn’t have much to say about Pumphrey running the football, but said he looked comfortable catching out of the slot and was used extensively on returns. Pumphrey offers many of the same skills as Darren Sproles, who plans to retire after this season. His role may not be significant in year one, but Pumphrey should have a bright future as a passing-down back/return specialist.

More noteworthy than Pumphrey’s late-game stats was his place on the depth chart, running behind LeGarrette Blount, Wendell Smallwood, and Corey Clement with Darren Sproles resting. Even as a fourth-round pick, Pumphrey’s roster spot isn’t assured after an underwhelming August where he struggled mightily in pass protection. The Eagles probably won’t keep five backs on the final 53.

Frank considers LeGarrette Blount, Darren Sproles and Wendell Smallwood roster locks, which likely leaves one spot for either Pumphrey or Corey Clement. While Clement’s strong preseason has made the decision more difficult, Frank still views him as the odd man out in what should be a four-man Eagles backfield.

A fourth-round rookie, Pumphrey was the subject of a ton of spring hype, but he looked lost in the preseason. UDFA Corey Clement is active as the No. 4 back. Douglas is a third-round rookie, but clearly isn’t ready.

Pumphrey was drawing all the praise early in training camp, but the pint-sized one-dimensional pass catcher has predictably struggled mightily in preseason games. A subpar athlete, relatively speaking, Pumphrey has caught seven passes for 32 yards and rushed seven times for two yards. Kempski wonders if the Eagles may even try to stash Pumphrey on I.R. as a rookie.

Per Kempski, that would give him “more time to adjust to the speed and size of the NFL.” Pumphrey has been roundly outplayed by undrafted 22-year-old Corey Clement this summer, leading Kempski to believe that his roster spot is “not safe.” It’s a different take than the one offered by CSN Philly’s Reuben Frank, who said Friday that Pumphrey is “almost certain to stick.” LeGarrette Blount, Wendell Smallwood and Darren Sproles are locked in as the Eagles’ top-three backs.