NFL Player Props: Staying healthy is key for Miles Sanders

Miles Sanders enters his third season in the NFL looking for his first 1,000 yard season on the ground and Neil Monnery likes his chances of doing so...

The fact that two years into his professional career, you could make an argument that Miles Sanders has outplayed his former Nittany Lion teammate Saquon Barkley in terms of running the football is to be honest quite remarkable.

Two straight years of clearing 800 yards on the ground, starting 11 games in both years shows impressive consistency for the second-round pick. If he can stay healthy then he has every chance of clearing that 1000.5 number the Sportsbooks have set for him in a 17-game season.

It must be said that the Eagles aren’t much of an offensive juggernaut but they’ve given the keys to the offense to Jalen Hurts. The former Alabama and Oklahoma QB is a running QB which will give defensive players something to worry about when he doesn’t drop back to pass the football. With Sanders and Hurts potential runners on every play it makes players hesitate for a split second. That could give extra time for holes to develop.

Speaking on the State of Football Morning Show with Ric Serritella, NFL analyst Brian Baldinger was certainly upbeat about the retooled Eagles O-Line and the potential for Miles Sanders to have a fine season.

“I was at practice last week. They could have a top-three offensive line. They’ve got great depth, they’ve got a great coach (in O-line coach Jeff Stoutland), if you can get Lane Johnson, Brandon Brooks, Isaac Seumalo, I believe Jordan Mailata will win that position at left tackle easily.

“I’m a big fan of Jordan Mailata, you put that group on the field with Dallas Goedert, Miles Sanders, if he stays healthy, with that line, he could easily run for 1,300.”

If it is good enough for Baldinger then it is good enough for me. I was going over anyway as I think churning out an average of 60 yards a game should be eminently doable for a player of Sanders’ talents.

My biggest concern is undoubtedly staying healthy. Ankle, Hamstring and Knee injuries have affected his NFL career so far. I’m going to stick at the over with the belief that even if he misses three-four games, he can clear that 1000.5 number.

Pick: Over on the Miles Sanders rushing yards market (1000.5 yards) at -112.