What Next For Miles Sanders?
Miles Sanders had a career year in 2022, as the Philadelphia Eagles reached Super Bowl 57.
Sanders had over 1,000 yards for the first time in his career, as well as his first season with double-digit touchdowns (11).
The result did not go the Eagles way in Arizona and despite only having 16 yards from seven carries, Sanders will still be a highly sought after running back this offseason after 754 rushing yards or more in each of his four seasons in the NFL, but where does he go? Here are three destinations he could end up at next season.
Buffalo Bills
The Bills had an agonising end to their season, losing to the Cincinnati Bengals in the Divisional Round. One of the main takeaways from the defeat was their lack of a run game.
Whilst Joe Mixon ran for 105 yards, quarterback Josh Allen was Buffalo’s lead rusher with just 26 yards. This was more than RB1 Devin Singletary.
Singletary has had a good career but not a great one. Only once in the four seasons has he had more than five touchdowns, with two of those campaigns having just two. You can blame it on playcalling, but Singletary has rarely put up the numbers when it really matters.
Sanders would represent a significant upgrade, one which would help ease the pressure on Allen to run the ball if they want their superstar to have a long and healthy career and not suffer the same fate as Cam Newton.
Miami Dolphins
Running back is arguably the biggest need for the Dolphins this offseason besides the offensive line.
The Dolphins have rarely had an elite running back in modern times, The franchise has had a 1,000-yard rusher just three times since Ricky Williams in 2009 and just eight times in the 21st century.
Raheem Mostert was the best performer on the ground for Miami in 2022, with 891 yards. The Dolphins are expected to have a cap room of $-15 in the offseason, which means they may have to get rid of some players before they go in on Sanders. However, there is talk of Xavien Howard, who signed a five-year $90 million deal in April 2022, being traded.
The Dolphins would have a $25 million cap hit in 2024 and with Howard turning 30 in July, it is wise if Miami explore trade options whilst he still has value. For someone who struggled for form in 2022 and has twice requested a trade, perhaps it is best to move on and reunite him with former head coach Brian Flores.
Howard would save Miami $10 million in cap space in 2023, and this would go a long way in helping the front office in their attempts to get Sanders.
If Miami make Sanders RB1, and have Mostert as RB2 and Jeff Wilson as RB3, this will make them immediately a team in the NFL with one of the best depths in the position.
New York Giants
This one all depends on what the Giants do with Saquon Barkley. The 26-year-old had a bounce back year after two injury hit campaigns.
The Giants may have the fourth best cap space in the league ($43 million) but if Daniel Jones reportedly wants $45 million, Barkley is likely to want more. Do they pay someone who has had some previous injury concerns.
It makes sense for the Giants to go for Sanders. He is likely to demand less than Barkley, has spent less time on the treatment table and had one more touchdown than Saquon as well as only 43 less yards in 2022.
It comes down to whether the Giants trust Barkley to stay healthy after just one season injury-free.