When the Philadelphia Eagles sent Byron Maxwell and Kiko Alonso to the Miami Dolphins, it was more than just a salary dump and moving on from an oft-injured ex-Oregon player of Chip Kelly’s. It was general Howie Roseman’s way of moving the Eagles from the 13^th overall selection in the first round to the Dolphins’ eighth pick – a move more necessary considering Roseman says there are 10 players the Eagles find to be clearly above the rest.

Could Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott be one of those players?

It’s doubtful the Eagles pick a quarterback – the move to re-sign Sam Bradford and then make Chase Daniel the highest-paid backup in football suggests a quarterback duel is on the way, and that it wouldn’t be necessary for Roseman to pick another quarterback in the top 10 picks. The recent defensive signings for coordinator Jim Schwartz have beefed up what should be a formidable unit in the new 4-3 scheme.

Running back or wide receiver makes the most sense for the Eagles, and Elliott may be Roseman’s target, especially given that last year’s $40 million flop DeMarco Murray was just shipped to the Tennessee Titans. The remaining running backs on the roster are Ryan Mathews, Darren Sproles, and Kenjon Barner.

Mathews is a former first-round pick and Pro Bowler with the San Diego Chargers who has played well when called upon; however, he has never proven he can stay healthy, and he’s reportedly available if teams want him.

Sproles is a 32-year-old player entering his 12^th NFL season. He’s had his moments (making the last two Pro Bowls as a punt returner), but he hasn’t received more than 15 carries in a game since 2009. He’s at best a rotational back, and also no guarantee to make the 2016 roster considering an impending $4.5 million salary. And Barner is strictly a depth piece.

Elliott is the real deal at running back. NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger says Elliott is the best player in this year’s draft class. Lance Zierlein has the Eagles picking Elliott at eighth in his recent mock draft.

Elliott had consecutive 1,800-yard seasons at Ohio State, leading the Big Ten in rushing yards (1,821) and rushing touchdowns (23) in 2015. He can catch passes and he’s an exceptional blocker. He would immediately become one of the better three-down backs in the National Football League.

Is eighth too high to draft a running back? Roseman hinted strongly that the Eagles do not devalue running backs. Last year, the St. Louis Rams became the first team to pick a running back in the top 10 picks since the Cleveland Browns took Trent Richardson third overall in 2012. Richardson was a horrific flop, but Gurley looks to be an All-Pro in the making.

There have been nine running backs taken in the top 10 picks since 2005. Adrian Peterson is a smashing success and will one day make the Pro Football Hall of Fame. After that, it’s largely a list of players that didn’t pan out as expected.

Cedric Benson, Reggie Bush, Ronnie Brown, and Darren McFadden all had their moments. Each has over 5,000 rushing yards, and Brown made a Pro Bowl. Still, their teams have to have hoped for more than they’ve gotten from them. The same goes for Cadillac Williams (4,038 yards) and C.J. Spiller (3,433 yards).

That doesn’t mean the Eagles shouldn’t take Elliott. Running backs do typically have shortened careers, and Elliott already has handled over 600 touches the last two seasons. Elliott would need to play past his rookie contract at a high level for the Eagles to get their draft pick’s worth of him. It’s not impossible to see that happening, but if history shows anything, it’s unlikely.

Posted by Cody Swartz

The oldest and wisest twin. Decade-plus Eagles writer. 2/4/18 Super Bowl champs. Sabermetrics lover. Always ranking QBs. Follow Cody Swartz on Twitter (@cbswartz5).