Eagles Draft: Meet Rookie RB Miles Sanders
With the 53rd pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, the Eagles selected running back Miles Sanders from Penn State. Sanders was second-team All-Big 10 in 2018 and is the first running back selected in the second round by the Eagles since LeSean McCoy in 2009.
Sanders also joins even more prestigious company, being just the third running back drafted by the Eagles in the first three rounds since 2002, with Brian Westbrook being the other alongside McCoy.
The draft board couldn’t of shaped up much better for the Eagles in the second round, with them having a handful of quality options with their first of two picks in the second round. As Howie Roseman said, the Eagles decided to do something they haven’t frequently done, which prioritizes a running back over other positions of need in the draft.
“Guess what, guys? We got a running back,” Roseman said. “We draft running backs in Philadelphia!”
After playing second-fiddle to Saquon Barkley in his first two seasons at Penn State, Sanders took the starting position and excelled in it in 2018. Sanders rushed for 1,274 yards, (2nd in the Big 10), 98.0 rushing yards per game, (4th in the Big 10), and whopping 5.79 yards per carry (5th in the Big 10). Sanders also added nine rushing touchdowns in 2018 as well.
Sanders, who is 5’10 and 211 pounds, ran a 4.49 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. Sanders also has above-average hands for a running back, is an agile runner and is always a threat to break off big runs.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein also gave a scouting report on the newest Eagles running back:
“Well-built glider with the instincts, footwork and agility to shake tacklers but the frame and pad level to finish with some authority. He can clearly create yardage for himself, but he has average acceleration and might need to expedite his downhill process as a pro. Sanders is more skilled than explosive, but he has the size and talent to develop into a future starter with every-down potential,” Zierlein says.
Sanders is also seen as playing at his best out of the shotgun, a formation the Eagles lined up in second-most in the NFL. The Eagles also had the fourth-highest run rate when lined up in the shotgun.
Despite Josh Jacobs being the first running back off of the board and largely being viewed as the drafts top back in the 2019 class, Roseman referred to Sanders as the teams favorite running back among scouts and the coaching staff, and the Eagles did plenty of homework on him leading up to the draft. Sanders even says that his pre-draft visit in Philadelphia lasted around two hours. Roseman lastly added that the team joked about the idea of adding Sanders because they never thought he would actually fall to them.
For Sanders, being drafted by the Eagles was something words couldn’t even describe.
“I seen the 215 on my phone and I just knew. I went straight tears,” Sanders said. “It was a moment I was waiting for my whole life.”
In Philadelphia, Sanders will split carries with recently-acquired running back Jordan Howard. Similar to the duo in the backfield (LeGarrette Blount and Jay Ajayi) that helped lead the Eagles to a Super Bowl in 2017, Howard and Sanders will provide the Eagles with a newer and younger thunder-and-lightning dynamic. The Eagles backfield will be rounded out by Corey Clement and Wendell Smallwood, with all four backs totaling in just $4.4 million in cap space for 2019.
Despite Howard likely being the lead back for 2019, he is entering the final year of his contract, which may mean Sanders could end up being a three-down back after next season.
With the selection of Sanders, the Eagles draft day trade with the Ravens in 2018 is officially complete. The Eagles ended up with Dallas Goedert (second rounder in 2018), Avonte Maddox (fourth rounder in 2018) and Sanders. The Ravens got their quarterback of the future in Lamar Jackson with the pick they received from the Eagles.
It seems the Eagles have finally gotten their running back in Sanders, and he will fit in smoothly with what should be an explosive Eagles offense in 2019.
Here is how some of us at Eagles Nation graded the pick…
Logan Banker, Eagles Nation Blogger
Sanders was originally thought to be an early second rounder, so the Eagles being able to get their hands on him is a huge positive. As a matter of fact, in my Mock Drafts, I never even figured to mock Sanders to the Eagles since I thought he’d be long gone by pick 53.
The Eagles don’t necessarily need or use three-down backs, but Sanders completely has the potential to do so. The youth movement in the backfield is encouraging, and giving Carson Wentz talented running backs to hand the ball off to and take some pressure off is very important
Sanders will have to prove himself in the passing game, though, to reach his full potential, but Corey Clement and Darren Sproles (if he returns) would be more than capable to serve as pass catches if needed. All in all, this is a quality and high-value pick for the Eagles.
Grade: A-
Matt Modi, Eagles Nation Blogger
The first of two second round picks for the Eagles finally yields them a dynamic running back. After shuffling through a disappointing stable of backs during the 2018 season, this is exactly what the fans were clamoring for. While Miles Sanders is no Saquon Barkley (almost nobody is), he is a solid running back that does almost everything well. He has good vision, balance, power, and had a good showing at the combine. His only downside is his lowly 32 career receptions at Penn State, but he seems to have pass-catching ability if given the chance.
Many draft experts predicted that Sanders would not last until the 50s, so the Eagles seemed to get good value picking him at 53. There were plenty of good defensive prospects available at this pick, but the Eagles need to surround Carson Wentz with weapons and they did just that. Good player, good value, good process.
Grade: A
Matt Lupi, Eagles Nation Twitter & Blogger
Sanders is a great fit for the Eagles that can take over the backfield if Jordan Howard is not re-signed.
Grade: A-
Featured Image: Mark J. Rebilas/USA Today Sports
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Categorized:Eagles