WillShipley

News: 6 days agoShipley and AJ Dillon are the top candidates for backup roles in Philadelphia's backfield, according to Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia.

Spin: The stylistic difference is drastic, with Dillon a 247-pound bruiser who has 597 career carries in the regular season. Shipley, a fourth-round pick last year, is listed at 209 pounds, and he took just 30 carries in 16 games during his initial NFL regular season. The report notes that Shipley should have a roster spot and a role on special teams even if Dillon earns the No. 2 RB role this summer. The two might ultimately be part of a committee in the event of a Saquon Barkley injury.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Shipley is entering his second NFL season in position to earn the primary backup role behind Saquon Barkley. With Barkley dominating the touches and Kenneth Gainwell second in line for work, the 2024 fourth-round pick was limited to 34 touches in 16 games as a rookie, 14 of which came with the starters resting in Week 18. Granted it was a small sample, but Shipley wasn't overly effective (2.7 YPC), which aligns with his underwhelming collegiate efficiency. Still, with Gainwell now in Pittsburgh, Shipley has an opportunity to lock down one of the league's best insurance jobs. Should Barkley miss time, the 23-year-old would likely see enough work behind an elite line in a high-scoring offense to allow RB2/flex production. Shipley makes for a fine late-round dart throw.