[jwplayer UFtwXGNG]
The NFL is full of talented running backs and the Philadelphia Eagles just so happen to have one of the best young ball carriers on the planet sitting on their roster.
Pro Football Focus recently ranked the top-25 running backs in the NFL entering the 2020 NFL season and Sanders made the cut, landing at No. 23 on the list.
23. MILES SANDERS, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Sanders did a lot of exciting things as a receiver out of the backfield in 2019, which was much-needed in an Eagles’ offense that lacked receiving threats toward the end of the season. He caught 50 passes and averaged 10.2 yards per reception, which ranked second among 19 running backs with at least 50 targets. That’s why he comes in on this list of the top 25 running backs in the NFL heading into next season.However, the reason that he’s lower on this list than some may think he should be is that the rushing grade just wasn’t there this past season. Despite what his 4.6 yards per carry would suggest, Sanders earned just a 59.5 rushing grade on the season. It speaks to the idea that his success on the ground was more a product of the PFF’s highest-graded run-blocking offensive line in 2019 than it was his play as a runner. Sanders is a former five-star recruit — a natural athlete with the requisite burst, explosiveness and agility needed to be a high-level NFL runner. I’d expect the grade (and his ranking) to rise in 2020 with fewer fumbles as long as his vision continues to improve.
Playing behind Jordan Howard got Sanders off to a slow start as a rookie but once he was inserted into the lineup, Sanders took off, joining seven other running backs in history since 1965 to record 725 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards as a rookie.
Those numbers should rise as Sanders becomes the Eagles’ workhorse back, and his standing among the NFL’s elite ball carriers should rise as well.
[vertical-gallery id=639461]
[lawrence-related id=639567,639557,639534,639537]