The Facts: LeGarrette Blount, the team's leading rusher with 766 yards on 173 carries in 2017, is now with the Detroit Lions. And even with Darren Sproles poised to come back from his season-ending knee injury and promising second-year back Corey Clement in the fold, Ajayi is poised to be the featured back. "I'm pretty sure that Jay is excited about being able to go out there and dominate and being able to be that guy," assistant HC/RBs Duce Staley said. "I know Doug (Pederson) is excited about it also. We'll see."

Diehards Line: Ajayi is no stranger to being the featured back. In 2016, he had 260 carries, ninth most in the league, on the way to earning Pro Bowl honors. Pederson acknowledged the work done by Ajayi this offseason ahead of the spring program. Now, Ajayi will look to carry the momentum of that into the season. "Just him being focused, coming in, knowing he's the guy, knowing he's the guy that's going to step up there and just put everything on his back and ride with him," Staley said. Acquired at the trade deadline last year, Ajayi gained 408 yards on 70 carries in seven games for the Eagles at a whopping 5.8 yards per carry. In the playoffs, Ajayi tallied an additional 184 yards in the three games along with six catches for 70 yards. We'll be watching for further indications of how extensive that lead role will be as the season draws nearer.