Pro Football Focus will be providing analysis for every major NFL signing and trade during the 2015 free-agency period, accounting primarily for the quality of the player and his fit with his new team, and focusing less on the financial terms of the deal.
Here is a grade for the Philadelphia Eagles' signing of former Chargers running back Ryan Mathews.
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Philadelphia Eagles: B
Mathews was the No. 12 overall pick back in 2010. He had an underwhelming rookie season, but by 2012 it seemed like he could become a decent running back. His last full season was 2013 when he forced 27 missed tackles, which put him among the 20 best backs in the league that year.
He missed most of 2014 with injuries, but he was effective when he did play. His 2.8 yards after contact per carry was tied for the fourth-best rate among backs with at least 60 rushes. Even though the Chargers used him more for rushing than receiving, he has caught at least 90 percent of passes thrown his way each of the past two seasons, proving a reliable and underrated pair of hands. While he has the upside, he has a clear injury concern.
In Philadelphia, it's unlikely he ever becomes an every-down back. They have Darren Sproles, and the Eagles could well add a third back to the mix before the season begins. In San Diego, Mathews was in a lot of two-wide receiver sets, while Philadelphia doesn't use a fullback -- that will be an adjustment.
If you add up all the run block grades of the Chargers' offensive players, the total is minus-50.3, which was the second-worst total in the league. On the other side of the spectrum, Philadelphia had a plus-85.7 total, which was the league's best. The improved line play should mean his numbers will improve, which makes him -- and most backs, frankly -- a good fit in Philadelphia's system. However, the fact he'll just be a role player, as well as the injury concerns, stops it from being a higher grade.