5 surprise standouts Philadelphia Eagles need to develop for 2020

During their time with the Penn State Nittany Lions, Miles Sanders spent much of his first two seasons sitting behind the national phenom that was Saquon Barkley. Sanders saw less than 60 carries in his first two seasons, making his junior season his only real shot to prove what he was capable of after Barkley’s departed for the NFL in 2018.

He certainly made the most of his time as the starter, racking up 1,274 yards on 220 carries with nine touchdowns in his final season at ‘Happy Valley’ before forgoing his senior year to enter the 2019 NFL Draft. Philadelphia drafted the Pennsylvania native in the second round looking to add depth to a run game that struggled in the previous season.

Sanders’ first few outings in the NFL were dismal, averaging under three yards per rush in each of the first two games, carrying the ball 21 times for just 53 yards. As the Eagles’ up and down season continued, things improved for the rookie. Sanders gained momentum with impressive receiving performances heading toward the middle of the season as the Eagles began to slowly and smoothly integrate him into the running game.

By Week 9, he was off to the races. During the critical November and December months for the NFC East-contending Eagles, Sanders rushed for 524 yards, 22 first downs, and two touchdowns, in the final eight games of the regular season. He continued to be vital to the passing game, registering 509 yards on 50 receptions and reaching the end zone three times as a receiver.

After the growth he showed this season, the Eagles should do everything they can to get the ball into Sanders’ hands going forward, whether that be on the ground or in the air, and they have to find ways to utilize this young talent to the fullest.