5 breakout stars to watch for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021

3. Miles Sanders. RB

A year ago, even amid rumors they were looking to add a running back, Sanders might have been No. 1 on a list like this for the Eagles. Then a hamstring injury cost him the season opener, and a knee issue cost him in Week 7 and 8. He was also added to the injury report ahead of Week 17, with a knee as the Eagles may not have been trying to win.

When he was on the field last year, Sanders averaged 5.3 yards per carry with six touchdowns on the ground in 12 games. Week 2-6 (434 yards, 6.1 yards per carry, three touchdowns) and Week 14-16 (5.1 yards per carry, three touchdowns) were his most productive stretches. That late stretch came with Jalen Hurts as the starting quarterback.

No one the Eagles have behind him (Boston Scott, Jordan Howard) is a threat to what could be a 200-carry campaign with 40-50 catches for Sanders. Health and opportunity are the question marks, along with the Eagles’ history (even before Pederson became head coach) of using backfield committees.

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If he can be healthy and get the opportunities his talent dictates he should, a third-year breakout will easily follow for Sanders in 2020.