The Philadelphia Eagles have the NFL’s best running back in Saquon Barkley, but behind him, the spot for RB2 is becoming an interesting topic of discussion.
Now entering Year 2, Will Shipley is the favorite to take that job and run with it, pun intended. Armed with blazing 4.39 speed, soft hands and a flair for creating explosive plays, Shipley will be competing with veteran free agent addition A.J. Dillon to be Barkley’s backup.
Signed to a modest one-year $1.34 million deal this offseason, Dillon should give Philly some cost-effective depth in the backfield. After spending four years with the Green Bay Packers, Dillion has loads more experience than Shipley, but some aren’t so sure Dillon is a roster lock.
Jimmy Kempski of the Philly Voice broke down his predictions for which players will make the Eagles’ 53-man roster into “locks, not-quite-locks, bubble players, and long shots.”
He has 34 players listed as roster locks, 12 as not-quite-locks and 20 players on the bubble, with Dillon included in the latter group.
Dillon Hasn’t Played an NFL Snap Since 2023
GettyNew Eagles RB AJ Dillon has been labeled a player on the roster bubble by the Philly Voice.
Dillon carved out a decent career with the Packers after being drafted in the second round (62nd overall) in 2020 following a standout tenure at Boston College, where he set the school’s all-time rushing record. Over his first four seasons with the Packers, Dillon had 597 carries for 2,428 yards (4.1 yards per carry) and scored 16 rushing touchdowns.
He also showed solid dual-threat abilities as a receiver, hauling in 86 catches for 763 yards and two scores.
In 2021, he had his most productive season with 803 yards (4.3 YPC) and five touchdowns across 17 games. The following two seasons saw slight decline, with 770 yards and seven scores, followed by 613 yards and two TDs in 2023 (a career-low 3.4 YPC).
Unfortunately, a neck injury in August of 2024 sidelined Dillon for the entire season. While
his recent injury history and decline in production raise some legit concerns, the 6-foot, 247-pound RB is a definite power runner, and he’s a decent pass blocker, as well. That’s when he’s healthy, of course.
Could A.J. Dillon Really Be on the Roster Bubble ALready?
Early depth charts already list Shipley ahead of Dillon, signaling the team’s confidence in his upside and versatility. Shipley has untapped potential and explosiveness, making him a natural fit for third-down and change-of-pace duties in an offense that plans to carefully manage Barkley’s workload this season.
Despite limited touches his rookie year, Shipley made the most of his opportunities, including a memorable 57-yard run in the NFC Championship. He also flashed as a pass catcher in Week 18 with 65 total yards, so he’s a dual-threat, as well. Shipley has a much different skill set than the power-focused Dillon, and that upside is really intriguing.
How both players perform in training camp will ultimately determine their placement in the offense, though. Dillon needs to show and prove he has physically recovered. If he displays effective vision as a runner, he should be able to carve out a spot for himself.
But the Eagles generally roll with youth over mid-tier veteran depth, so if Dillon doesn’t return to pre-injury form, he could absolutely find himself without a role when the regular season hits.
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