The Eagles made a blockbuster trade acquiring Pro Bowl running back Jay Ajayi for a 2018 fourth round pick. Get to know the new Eagle.
In just 31 career games, running back Jay Ajayi has rushed for 1,924 yards, 308 receiving yards, and has nine total touchdowns.
Ajayi had a breakout year in 2016 earning Pro Bowl honors after finishing with 1,272 rushing yards, 151 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns.
The London, England native is in his third season in the NFL after being drafted in the fifth round back in 2015.
Ajayi had three games with over 200 rushing yards in 2016 including two consecutive games back in Week 6 and 7 against the Steelers and Bills.
In seven games this season, Ajayi has rushed for 465 yards on 138 carries and has 14 receptions for 67 yards.
It is a stunning move, a major upgrade to a position that has been working by committee all season. The addition of Jay Ajayi on Tuesday completely changes the complexion of the running back position for the Eagles moving forward.
The price was a fourth-round draft pick in 2018, and in return the Eagles got themselves a third-year running back who played in the Pro Bowl last season, who runs with an attitude, who is versatile in the passing game – think screen game – and who is capable of handling the load as a true, No. 1 ballcarrier.
How head coach Doug Pederson and running backs coach Duce Staley handle the rotation in the coming weeks remains to be seen, but understand this: Jay Ajayi is here to tote the rock, and that is something he does very, very well. The Eagles saw him in the summer during the joint practices with the Dolphins and had to be impressed with Ajayi's hard-charging style between the tackles, his quick feet, and his ability to change direction. Ajayi then rushed for 53 yards and scored two touchdowns in the preseason game against the Eagles and looked like he was on his way to a huge season with the Dolphins.
Instead, Miami's offense has been terrible this season, and the Dolphins are changing their approach. Ajayi was out the door at the trade deadline and he arrives in Philadelphia to help a running game that has been good this season - ranking fifth in the league with an average of 129.2 yards per game - but one that has also left yards on the field.
Ajayi changes that in a big way as the Eagles jumped into the NFL's deadline-trading frenzy.
And it's only 11 a.m. The deadline is not until 4 p.m. today.
and this offense.
Howie Roseman, the deal-maker, strikes again. The Eagles added a running back who not only helps now, but also takes a potential draft need off the table for next year at the cost of a fourth-round pick. Roseman and the Eagles wanted to add difference-makers, and they certainly did with the acquisition of Ajayi.
