Philadelphia Eagles RB Miles Sanders was limited to just 12 games last season, but he still took a step forward in rushing yardage, average per carry and touchdowns. Below, we look at Miles Sanders‘ 2021 fantasy football average draft position (ADP) and where you should draft him.
Sanders racked up a healthy 5.3 yards per carry in 2020, and there are a lot of fantasy managers and talking heads excited about his potential in 2021. He was more elusive in his second season and many people keep tossing the word “burst” around when talking about the former Penn State standout.
It is going to be interesting to see how the Philadelphia offense looks as it turns to QB Jalen Hurts as the full-time starter. Will the offense still be fairly traditional or will it have a lot more gadget plays?
A running quarterback, rather than a traditional pocket passer, can steal some of the thunder away from his tailback.
Sanders’ ADP: 46.07
(ADP data courtesy of MyFantasyLeague.com)
The ADP for Sanders is about the most accurate I have seen from a lot of the players who are coming up. I wouldn’t trust him as an RB1, but I’d certainly take him as an RB2, especially in PPR formats.
He is a player on the rise, still young and hungry, but I worry about the change in Philadelphia’s offensive attack. Hurts is going to want to pull the ball down and run a lot, which might carve into the role of Sanders.
In addition, RB Boston Scott is a poor man’s Sanders. Scott is going to want some touches, too, as well as rookie RB Kenneth Gainwell.
Add in RB retreads Kerryon Johnson and Jordan Howard, and there is a rather full running backs room in Philadelphia with a lot of potential for things to go sideways for Sanders if he gets nicked up and one of the other guys step up.
WIN YOUR FANTASY FOOTBALL LEAGUE!
For 25 years, TheHuddle.com has been helping fantasy players just like you win. This year, it’s your turn! Custom player rankings, tools and more to give you the edge over your competition.
Use code SBW21 to take 20% OFF a new subscription. Join now!
Sanders’ 2020 stats
Rushing: 164 carries for 867 yards
Receiving: 52 receptions for 197 yards
Touchdowns: 6 rushing/0 receiving
Fumbles: 4 total (2 lost)
Where should you take Sanders in your fantasy football draft?
Another concern for Sanders is his penchant for putting the ball on the ground. In 28 career NFL regular-season games, he has coughed it up six times, losing three of those fumbles.
That’s simply not going to do, and he must work on his ball security. Again, if he cannot do it, there are plenty of backups ready to step up.
Still, it’s not all doom and gloom for Sanders. I don’t get why some fantasy analysts have flirted with the idea of putting Sanders in their top 10. That’s just ludicrous.
He isn’t a bad player and he is on the rise. But he was blanked in touchdown receptions last season, and he wasn’t nearly the PPR option he was in 2020.
Yes, he might crack 1,000 rushing yards in 2021 and he’ll be a solid low-end RB2 or flex option, but if you’re relying on him to be your RB1 and carry you this season, it’s going to be a long 2021 campaign.
Save that FAAB for the waiver wire, because you’ll need it.
Play our new free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1369]