Despite a rather terrible performance from the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2020 season, one player seemed to stand out among his peers.
CBS Sports recently named running back Miles Sanders to their top 25 players under the age of 25. The 24-year-old comes in at No. 22 on the list.
MILES SANDERS: TOP DOG (OR EAGLE FOR THAT MATTER)
Many times, overlooked, Miles Sanders has become one of the most talented running backs in the NFL.
Beginning his collegiate career at Penn State, Sanders played behind teammate Saquon Barkley, becoming starting running back in 2017 after Barkley departed for the NFL. He finished that season with 1,274 rushing yards, ranking No. 2 in the Big Ten and No. 15 in the nation. Sanders also ranked seventh in the Big Ten with nine rushing touchdowns and 108.7 all-purpose yards per game.
Rather than finishing his senior year, he declared for the NFL. The Philadelphia Eagles drafted him in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Sanders made an immediate name for himself, completing his rookie season with 818 rushing yards, 509 receiving yards, and six total touchdowns. In Week 15 against Washington, he rushed 19 times for 122 yards and caught six passes for 50 yards, surpassing LeSean McCoy and DeSean Jackson for the most rushing yards and all-purpose yards by a rookie in franchise history.
The 2020 season carried the same magnitude for the 24-year-old. Sanders finished with 867 rushing yards, 197 receiving yards, and six total touchdowns, in four fewer games. He was also selected to his first Pro Bowl.
NO. 22 FOR NO. 26
On their top 25 list released last week, CBS Sports added, “You can find running back production almost anywhere, yes. And Sanders must stay healthy to warrant a longer-term role in Philly this year. But he’s often been a home-run hitter when active. Look out for him working alongside Jalen Hurts in a new offense.”
Sanders is one of three players to make the list from the NFC East, including former teammate Saquon Barkley who ranks as No. 14. The third is Washington’s Chase Young coming in at No. 6.
With a new look at Philadelphia’s offense going into the 2021-2022 season, fans expect Sanders to continue to excel. He will be a new target for second-year quarterback Jalen Hurts who is projected to top this list next year.
