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Ex-Penn State Football RB Miles Sanders disrespected in latest rankings

By Matt Lombardo

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 27: Miles Sanders #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs with the ball in the first half agaisnt Randy Gregory #94 of the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on December 27, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 27: Miles Sanders #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs with the ball in the first half agaisnt Randy Gregory #94 of the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on December 27, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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Former Penn State Football running back Miles Sanders has emerged as a versatile weapon for the Philadelphia Eagles, as he enters his third NFL season this fall.

Last season, Sanders averaged a whopping 5.3 yards per carry and scored six touchdowns while running for 867 yards. The former Nittany Lions standout really seemed to hit his stride when the Eagles benched quarterback Carson Wentz, in favor of rookie Jalen Hurts.

Still, Sanders comes in ranked just 19th among current NFL running backs by Pro Football Focus:

"Sanders has been more productive than his PFF grades would suggest, though his grades have been partly dragged down by fumbles (four last season). He has impressive speed, with 14 carries of 15 or more yards since coming into the NFL to pair with an average of 3.3 yards after contact per carry."

The ranking is a bit of a surprise, given that Sanders has also proven that he can be a reliable pass-catcher out of the backfield, notching 50 receptions for 509 yards and three touchdowns as a rookie in 2019 and adding 28 more catches on 59 targets as an NFL sophomore.

Conversely, Sanders’ college teammate turned NFC East rival, Saquon Barkley, enters this season ranked No. 7 overall, despite coming off a torn ACL.

Sanders even proved to be a shifty runner, averaging 3.38 yards after contact per carry, per PFF, and adding 16 explosive runs in 2020.

Sanders figures to play a vital role in the Eagles’ offense this season and moving forward. If that proves to be the case, it’s difficult to imagine Sanders not climbing significantly higher in these rankings in 2022.

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