Miles Sanders' Projected Role for 2020 Should Excited Eagles Fans

The Philadelphia Eagles are a team that has long favored a running back-by-committee approach in the backfield. They haven't had a running back see even 180 carries in a season since 2015. For context, 21 running backs ran the ball at least 180 times in the 2019 NFL season.

All signs are pointing to a change in philosophy in 2020, however, now that the Eagles have a back with true superstar potential in Miles Sanders.

Miles Sanders Projections

The betting markets are certainly high on Sanders, with FanDuel Sportsbook setting his over/under for combined rushing and receiving yards at 1,425.5 — within 100 yards of 2019 rushing champ Derrick Henry.

Eagles beat writer Geoff Mosher notes that Philly has done almost nothing to bring in competition or support for Sanders in the backfield this offseason. The Eagles have been in talks with veterans like Devonta Freeman, but given they didn't draft any backs and haven't actually made a signing yet, it doesn't seem like they're too concerned about adding anyone.

Sanders showed in 2019 that he can absolutely handle workhorse volume as well. A Jordan Howard injury thrust him in to the RB1 role late in the season, and from Week 11 to Week 16 he played at least 80 percent of the Eagles' offensive snaps in six of eight games. In that time he averaged 15.7 carries and 4.2 receptions, racking up over 100 yards from scrimmage per game.

The potential to see Sanders thrive in a lead back role is just another reason Eagles fans should be excited about the upcoming season. And for fantasy football players, the potential that Sanders touches the ball close to 20 times per game gives him a ton of value.

Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook today and get your first bet risk free for up to $500!

Jason Schandl is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Jason Schandl also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username Jaymun. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in his articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.