Eagles Curveball: If Not Bijan Robinson, Maybe Longhorns Teammate Roschon Johnson?

Roschon Johnson spent most of his Texas career in the shadow of Bijan Robinson, but the Philadelphia Eagles made a move for a back like that in 2019, taking Penn State's Miles Sanders.

If the Eagles choose not to take Bijan Robinson with the 10th overall pick in the NFL Draft or later, should they trade down a few spots, the next best thing might be a teammate of the outstanding Texas running back.

That would be Roschon Johnson.

Johnson worked in the shadow of Robinson during his time at Texas, and that could remind the Eagles of a back they took in 2019, Miles Sanders, who toiled in the shadow of Saquon Barkley at Penn State.

Sanders, who left in free agency for the Panthers this offseason, had a limited role for his first two years in State College. In his third year, the job was all his, and made the most of it, rushing for 1,274 with a 5.8 yards per carry average and nine touchdowns.

Johnson’s chance outside of Robinson's shadow came as a freshman in 2019, when he had 123 carries and ran for 623 yards and seven touchdowns, adding another 23 catches for 158 yards.

Those ended up being his career highs after Robinson burst onto the scene.

Still, there are a couple of good reasons for taking Johnson.

First, low mileage. He’s had fewer than 100 carries in each of the last three seasons with the Longhorns. Despite having seasons where he had just 80 carries in 2020 and 96 and 93 the following two years, he averaged 5.6 yards per carry combined with those touches.

Second, he has good size at 6-0, 219 pounds. It’s darn near Rashaad Penny's size. The free agent signing goes 5-11, 220. Also, he is considered an above-average pass blocker and a good protector of the ball, with only one fumble in his college career.

Third, general manager Howie Roseman said at the NFL Scouting Combine that the Eagles would add at the running back position.

Well, they brought in Penny and brought back Boston Scott.

Does that constitute the end of the adding?

It may not, especially since Penny and Scott are on one-year deals, Kenny Gainwell’s contract runs only through 2024, and Trey Sermon is a great unknown.

Some mock drafts have Johnson going in the fourth round, which is the start of a barren wasteland for the Eagles, who make a pick late in the third round – No. 94 overall – then don’t have another selection until the seventh round, at No. 219 overall.

That means 125 players will be picked before Roseman takes another swing.

If the Eagles want to fit Johnson into their running back picture, they will need to take him with that third-round pick or find a way to make a trade or two to get a pick in the fourth round.

Ed Kracz covers the Philadelphia Eagles for SI's EaglesToday.

Please follow him and our Eagles coverage on Twitter on @kracze.

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