Fansided

These 5 running backs are the NFL’s most explosive right now

By Dustin Baker

LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 15: Miles Sanders #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates with J.J. Arcega-Whiteside #19 and Dallas Goedert #88 after catching a pass for a touchdown against the Washington Redskins during the second half at FedExField on December 15, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 15: Miles Sanders #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates with J.J. Arcega-Whiteside #19 and Dallas Goedert #88 after catching a pass for a touchdown against the Washington Redskins during the second half at FedExField on December 15, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Philadelphia Eagles
LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 15: Miles Sanders #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles scores a touchdown against the Washington Redskins during the first half at FedExField on December 15, 2019, in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

4. Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles

15+ Yard Gains in 2019: 21

Total Touches: 229

15+ Yard Gains to Touches Percentage: 9.2

The Philadelphia Eagles have found their running back of the future in Miles Sanders, but they oddly didn’t seem to fully realize it in 2019.

Sure, he was utilized more than any other back on the team. Yet, at times, the team force-fed the ball to Jordan Howard and consequently created a running-back-by-committee scheme.  Howard’s touches were not a detriment to the Eagles as they finished 11th in the NFL in rushing yards, although it’s quite evident that Sanders is the more dynamic playmaker.

And perhaps this was a reluctance to jump into a hasty marriage with a rookie tailback. Philadelphia spent a second-round draft pick on Sanders in the 2019 NFL Draft when they pried him away from Penn State University. It may also be that Sanders skill-set is more akin to a wide-receiver than that of a prototypical running back.

After all, 14 of Sanders’ gains of 15+ yards came via pass plays. If it is the case that he is truly a wide receiver hiding in plain sight with a running back’s jersey number, then the Eagles will have to improvise. Jordan Howard took his talents to Miami, and the next tailback on the depth chart is Boston Scott–who is a pass-catcher like Sanders.

Scott is no towering, bruiser-style back. In fact, he’s about the same height as Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe.

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