Eagles Dip into UDFA Pool at RB Again with Notre Dame Product

Eagles executive vice-president of football operations Howie Roseman dipped into the undrafted rookie free agent last season and found running back Corey Clement, who had a huge impact in the Eagles Super Bowl winning season.

He went down that route again this year.

Roseman signed Notre Dame Running back Josh Adams, who was viewed by some as a mid-round pick, after racking up 3,198 yards and 20 touchdowns in three seasons with the Fighting Irish.

The addition gave depth to a running back room led by Jay Ajayi but without a known commodity behind him with LeGarrette Blount now in Detroit. Clement will be leaned on more, entering his second-year, he figures to get more of a work-load this season.

So as it stands it looks like Adams will be battling for a spot on the roster with third-year player Wendell Smallwood and second-year guy Donnell Pumphrey behind Ajayi, Clement and the returning Darren Sproles.

It’s his unique blend of strength and quickness, and speed that has the Eagles brass intrigued to add more depth at running back. Adams measured 6-foot-2 and 213 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine and put up a 40-yard dash of 4.55 seconds.

Before the draft, there were reports of Adams being off teams draft boards because of his injury history.

"If it wasn't for the durability and health concerns, i think he would have gone in maybe the fourth-round, third-round, he just can't stay healthy," NFL Draft expert Scott Wright of Draftcountdown.com said on the Sports Bash.

"You saw it last year he wore down as the season progressed, he became less and less effective".

Adams is coming off a senior season where he rushed for 1,430 yards (6.9 YPC) and nine touchdowns for the Fighting Irish.

He also flashed as a pass-catcher out of the backfield by taking 41 receptions for 336 yards in his college career.