Adrian Fedkiw
Sam Bradford was essentially traded for Derek Barnett and Jay Ajayi.
That’s called winning, Howie Roseman is a magician.
The Philadelphia Eagles sent the fourth-round draft choice they acquired from the Minnesota Vikings in that Bradford swap to the Miami Dolphins for the 24-year-old bruising running back Ajayi. Now opposing defenses will have to deal with the bulldozing pair of Ajayi and LeGarrette Blount come December and playoff time.
But Ajayi’s most underrated trait for the Eagles until the end of the season will be his pass protection, where he is solid. Carson Wentz has been getting blitzed and hit a ton in recent weeks and the Eagles’ running backs have all struggled to pick it up. Their best pass protector in the backfield was the diminutive Darren Sproles before his injury.
Don't underestimate Jay Ajayi's pass protection prowess, this has been a weakness for Eagles RBs all season long. Ajayi will help Big V out. pic.twitter.com/dYmGej4wHf
— The Bitter Birds (@AdrianFedkiw) October 31, 2017
Out of the 44 qualified running backs in pass protection, Ajayi is ranked 19th compared to Blount’s 33 and Smallwood’s 44. Here’s NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger breaking down a play of Ajayi in pass protection.
.@Eagles @JayTrain23 when you come to So. Philly and you protect @cj_wentz like this, they will erect a statue to YOU ?? #BaldyBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/W6c7fgi48O
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) October 31, 2017
The Eagles obviously needed tackle help when Jason Peters was lost for the season during the Eagles’ Monday night win against the Washington Redskins, but a steep price was set when the Seattle Seahawks sent a second and fifth-round pick along with Jeremy Lane for Duane Brown on Wednesday. So Philadelphia went to a back-up plan which involved possessing a pair of power backs that will be postseason proof. Ajayi is also going to help in pass protection.
Philadelphia was able to make a huge move for the present while not having to part with most of its future assets.
Yep, that’s called winning.
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