Eagles RB Miles Sanders struggling in pass protection
The Eagles invested a second-round pick in Miles Sanders, but is going into training camp behind the 8-ball in terms of his pass protection.
Miles Sanders appeared to have a clear path to a significant role in the Philadelphia Eagles’ backfield as a rookie, but he is struggling in key areas of the game having dealt with an injury setback during the offseason program.
Sanders heads into training camp having missed every spring practice because of a hamstring injury and, according to Jimmy Kempski of The Philly Voice, has ground to make up as a pass protector and in terms of his ball security.
Persistent struggles in those areas would likely keep Sanders off the field, with the Eagles possessing enough depth to keep him on the shelf having added Jordan Howard to a backfield that also currently includes Corey Clement, Wendell Smallwood and Josh Adams.
Howard’s presence on the roster gives the Eagles the opportunity to slow-play Sanders’ introduction to the demands of NFL football should they need to do so.
However, with Sanders boasting much greater upside in the passing game than the former Chicago Bear, Philadelphia would surely rather prefer he made quick strides in his development in training camp and preseason.
The Eagles have no reason to rush draft picks into action. They have one of the deepest rosters in the NFL and are strong bets to be in the playoff hunt regardless of whether Sanders plays significant snaps as a rookie.
Yet their backfield was short on inspiration in 2018 and, though the importance of the running game in the modern NFL is regularly called into question, a bigger impact from Philadelphia’s backs would likely have increased hopes of repeating as Super Bowl champions.
dark. Next. Colts GM Chris Ballard offers insight into team’s evaluation of Rock Ya-Sin
Sanders was selected to provide that boost to the backfield and help take the pressure off Carson Wentz as he bids to lead the Eagles back to the Super Bowl. Philadelphia’s title prospects may not hinge on Sanders’ performance, but it would be a huge disappointment for them if his inability to improve two of his fundamentals limits his impact as a rookie.