Where Does Miles Sanders Rank in PFF's Running Back Rankings?
For the last handful of years, many would suggest that the Carolina Panthers had the best running back in the National Football League in Christian McCaffrey. Even once McCaffrey was dealt to San Francisco, the Panthers' run game didn't drop off. In fact, it improved in a lot of ways.
This year, Carolina will work in yet another new RB1 in Miles Sanders, who just had the best season of his career helping the Philadelphia Eagles to reach the Super Bowl. Sanders rushed for 1,269 yards and 11 touchdowns on 259 carries.
According to Pro Football Focus, Sanders is the 23rd-best running back entering the 2023 season.
"Sanders smashed his career highs in 2022 with more than 1,200 rushing yards, 781 yards after contact and 34 explosive runs. He recorded the third-most rushing yards before contact (490), but that doesn’t have to be seen as something only attributable to the offensive line," writes Trevor Sikkema. "Sometimes, great vision allows backs to find open space before contact. It was a leap in production in 2022. We’ll see if that efficiency continues with him now in Charlotte."
Although he's not viewed as a top 10 back or even top 20 back for that matter, head coach Frank Reich has been impressed with what he's done so far and believes he'll be a big part of Carolina's success.
"Miles has looked good. I mean, he's a three-down back. He can do a little bit of everything. He's explosive. He's fast. He's really got good vision and patience. Really smart. On third down when he has to block, he's a willing blocker. Great teammate. Really that signing was a really big signing for us. I knew we knew it but now we really know it."
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