Miles Sanders is a running back for the Carolina Panthers. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Sanders attended Woodland Hills High School where he weas a three year starter at running back. Sanders was a four-star recruit and ultimately committed to the Penn State Nittany Lions. Sanders began his college football career backing up Saquon Barkley and played sparingly his first two seasons. Barkley left for the NFL after the 2017 season, and Sanders took over the Nittany Lions backfield, rushing for 1,274 yards and adding 24 receptions for another 139 yards.
Sanders declared for the 2019 NFL draft and participated in the Combine. Sanders ran a 4.49 40-time and showcased above average athleticism: a 123.2 Burst Score (75th-percentile), a 11.08 Agility Score (84th-percentile), and a 120.3 SPARQ-X Score (77th-percentile). He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 21st pick in the second round.
Sanders saw 53.7-percent of the snaps at running back for the Eagles his rookie season, and was utilized heavily in the passing game, seeing 63 targets and securing 50 receptions for 509 receiving yards.. He also led the team in rushing with 818 yards. He was an evasive runner, as well, posting a 32.8-percent Juke Rate. All things were pointing to a Sanders breakout in year two; however, it never materialized. He saw 52 targets, but committed 8 drops (No. 2). He also failed in efficiency, averaging 2.71 Yards Created Per Touch. Sanders still averaged 14.2 fantasy points per game, a disappointing total factoring in his ADP entering the 2020 season. Unfortunately, things got worse for Sanders in 2021. He saw a career-low 34 targets and only averaged 9.8 fantasy point per game.
Faced with the final year in his contract with Philadelphia, he completed his best season ever, finishing with 11 total touchdowns. He was a solid RB2 the entire 2022 season. The Eagles did not re-sign Sanders, and was signed by the Carolina Panthers in free agency. He's the clear veteran over Chuba Hubbard and Raheem Blackshear, but time will tell how much the Panthers wish to rely on their new running back.
