Former Clemson running back Will Shipley was a first-team All-American in 2022, but at least one expert doesn’t think he belongs on your fantasy team.
Shipley was a third-round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2024 NFL Draft, essentially replacing Boston Scott who recently signed with the Los Angeles Rams. Shipley will see significantly less work as a rookie than veteran Saquon Barkley, which may not bode well for his fantasy value.
As Fantasy Pros’ Mike Fanelli puts it, "Even if the superstar misses significant time, Shipley will split the backfield work with Kenneth Gainwell and lose all goal-line attempts to Jalen Hurts. I’ll happily draft Kimani Vidal and Tyrone Tracy Jr. over Shipley."
Tracy and Vidal could have better seasons than Shipley, but Fanelli is missing key points. While Hurts may have 41 rushing touchdowns in four years with the team, the 25-year-old quarterback took a beating last year and won’t have All-Pro center and future Hall of Famer Jason Kelce clearing a path in 2024.
Kelce retired in the offseason. He’ll be replaced by right guard Cam Jurgens, who may not be as effective in leading the team’s infamous “tush-push” play. Hurts had a career-high 15 rushing touchdowns last season but without Kelce, that number could go down.
Barkley’s injury history also shouldn’t be ignored. Since joining the league as the second-overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the former Giants running back missed 25 possible regular season games. And Gainwell’s career average of 298 yards per season won’t scare anybody. If Barkley gets hurt, Gainwell could struggle as the team’s lead back.
In other words, Shipley shouldn’t be the first, second or even third running back taken in your next fantasy draft, but he’s hardly an afterthought, as some believe. This year, keep one eye on Barkley and one on the waiver wire where Shipley could pay dividends as the season progresses.
