Eagles land Kenneth Gainwell in 5th round

The Philadelphia Eagles selected running back Kenneth Gainwell out of Memphis in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, No. 150 overall.

Gainwell joins a crowded backfield that features Miles Sanders as the lead back ahead of the 2021 season.

A former first-team All-American Athletic Conference, the 22-year-old tailback provides the Eagles with a legitimate receiving threat out of the backfield.

Gainwell is the third offensive player to be selected by the Eagles following wide receiver DeVonta Smith and center Landon Dickerson.

Draft profile Joe Murphy / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Key stats (2019): 1,459 rushing yards, 610 receiving yards, 16 TDs, 6.3 YPC

Somewhat overlooked after opting out of the 2020 season, Gainwell offers a unique skill set that sets him apart from other running backs in this class. The versatile playmaker often lined up as a slot receiver at Memphis, dominating opposing linebackers and safeties with savvy route running. Gainwell will be valued by NFL clubs as a result, though he doesn't currently possess enough size or vision to play every down in the backfield. Still, there's plenty of elusiveness and burst for him to be a dynamic offensive chess piece early on.

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