The Philadelphia Eagles are reportedly shopping around several trades that will completely change the landscape of their organization. The Eagles are looking to send linebacker Kiko Alonso and cornerback Byron Maxwell to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for some draft picks.
Philadelphia is also looking to trade either DeMarco Murray or Ryan Mathews for what would likely be the same price, as having both of them on the roster makes very little sense. Both running backs are 28 and based on last season, Ryan Mathews is the better running back in the Eagle's system.
Murray recorded eight starts, 193 rushing attempts, 762 rushing yards, 3.6 yards per carry, six touchdowns, 44 receptions, 322 receiving yards, a receiving touchdown, and two fumbles.
Mathews, on the other hand, started in six games, had 106 rushing attempts, 539 rushing yards, averaged 5.1 yards per carry, six touchdowns, 20 receptions, 146 receiving yards, a receiving touchdown, and three fumbles.
Murray will cost the Eagles significantly more over the next few seasons and does have a poorer draft pedigree as he was only a third round pick in 2011. Murray's cap hit for 2016 is $8 million, however, for the next three seasons after that he will cost the Eagles $9 million per season. Mathews was a first round pick in 2010, but has had some durability issues in during his time in the NFL.
Mathews is relatively cheap compared to Murray as he will cost the Eagles $4 million in 2016, $5 million in 2017, and is an unrestricted free agent in 2018. Philadelphia should have a hard time finding any trade partners for Murray as his cost would just not be an effective use of cap space for any team, even those that need a running back. Murray also showed the NFL one thing: without the Dallas Cowboys' offensive line he is just another running back.
The Cowboys had one of the top rushing attacks in the league again and Murray floundered after running behind a porous offensive line. The Eagles could release him and take the dead cap hit, but it may not be worth it. For now it seems as if Philadelphia just going to ride it out and let Chip Kelly's roster changes continue to exist until there is a surefire way to get rid of them.
