9 NFL Veterans Whose Jobs Are Safe From 2017 Rookies
Ryan Mathews
Speaking of injuries, the Philadelphia Eagles’ Ryan Mathews is no stranger to the trainer's room.
Mathews is coming into the 2017 offseason recovering from a serious neck surgery, and seems to be wrestling with soft tissue injuries and clavicle fractures nearly every week. Last year, Mathews -- who is one year shy of the big three-oh, the age at which running backs theoretically go into decline -- put up 0.01 Rushing NEP per attempt on 155 totes, the 17th-most among the 42 running backs to top 100 carries in 2016.
Cutting Mathews would free up $3 million this year for the Eagles, so his name has been bandied about as an offseason casualty.
Fortunately for him, the Eagles only invested a fourth-round pick in a running back this year. Prolific receiver/diminutive runner Donnel Pumphrey projects more as Darren Sproles' replacement than a between-the-tackles back like Mathews. Undrafted Corey Clement also joins this group, but he underwhelmed dramatically at the NFL Combine and poses little threat to Mathews this year.