When you look at the Philadelphia Eagles, you see Saquon Barkley as the face of the backfield. However, we must remember the men who back up the superstar, Kenneth Gainwell and Will Shipley. Both running backs can serve as Barkley’s handcuff and will be used sparingly throughout the game.
The issue in this conversation is which player will become the second man up in this running back room. Today, we will break down what each player brings to the table in fantasy football and which skill set will help elevate the Eagles’ offense.
Here is the fantasy outlook for both Gainwell and Shipley heading into Week 1.
Week 1 Fantasy Outlook for Kenneth Gainwell
Gainwell has been a part of the Eagles’ offense for multiple years since being drafted. He has never become the lead running back, but he seems to have a role within their four- and two-minute offensive schemes.
Last season, he was more of a pass-catching running back than a pure rusher. He received 37 targets scattered across his 16 games. However, on the ground, he saw less than 100 carries and only 364 rushing yards, according to TruMedia.
Gainwell is the true definition of a depth piece within your fantasy team, as he has always been a depth piece for the Eagles’ offense.
The issue is whether the rookie Shipley can take his shares within the backfield and relegate the veteran to the bench.
Week 1 Fantasy Outlook for Will Shipley
Shipley brings a plethora of skills that make him a versatile option for the Eagles as a rusher, receiver, and even on special teams. He has a special elusiveness from the backfield that blends with outright speed to make tacklers miss all game.
In his last two college seasons, Shipley received 30+ targets a year, showing his pass-catching chops that can translate to the NFL. Shipley has some of the best footwork seen in a running back. He creates quick, small movements that translate into explosive cuts within his skill set. Shipley isn’t a burner for the length of a football field, but he can contribute with short-burst speed to help the Eagles convert more third downs than in previous years.
Like most rookies, his biggest issue in the game is his ability to pass block. His size does him no favors in this department, and he will need to work on this consistently to earn the trust of the coaching staff and Jalen Hurts.
Who Should I Start in Week 1?
Pro Football Network’s Fantasy Football Start/Sit Optimizer says that Gainwell is the player to start. His projected 4.4 points just beat out Shipley’s 3.4
We agree, as our Consensus Fantasy Football Rankings align with the Optimizer. Gainwell is the lesser of two evils for your fantasy lineup. We advise actively avoiding using either of these players in your league.
If you are forced to decide between the two, Gainwell’s ability to pass block and catch check-downs from Hurts is crucial in giving him the edge. Hurts trusts Gainwell, which gives him all the edge we need within this debate to correctly identify the correct backup.