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DRAFT

Breaking Down the Pick: Eagles Select Penn State Running Back Miles Sanders

26 April 2019 DRAFT

In day two of the 2019 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles select Miles Sanders from the Penn State University with pick 53.  Sanders was called up by the Nittany Lion’s to step out of Saquon Barkley’s shadow and lead the team as the primary ball carrier. That is exactly what he did. Sanders started 13 games, on 220 rushing attempts, he rushed for 1274 yards and 9 touchdowns on a 5.8 yard average. His best performance came against Illinois where he rushed 22 times for 200 yards and 3 touchdowns.

At pick 53, there were multiple players that we were monitoring but Sanders was the guy. It is a huge advantage to be able to scout in state talent like Sanders more often due to a short traveling distance. Our scouts were high on Sanders from the start. We met with him at the combine and his pro-day, and regularly had scouts at practices and game. With the off-season addition of Jordan Howard, who is primarily a bruiser, Sanders as a finesse and speed guy is a perfect compliment. Sanders has elite vision and quick change of direction. He regularly sets up defenders by taking unique angles and using his signature jump cut. In a limited role this season, Sanders should thrive running behind our elite offensive line and regularly take pressure off of Carson Wentz.

This draft pick is special because it was gifted to us from last years trade with the Baltimore Ravens. We traded pick 32 (yes pick 32 because we were the World Champions in case any non-Eagles fans reading this forgot), for pick 52 in 2018 (which resulted in Dallas Goedert),  swapped picks 132 and 125 for 2018 (which resulted in Avonte Maddox), Eagles received pick 125 in 2019, and pick 53 (Sanders) in 2019 . So if you break it down, we essentially traded Baltimore for Goedert, Avonte Maddox, Miles Sanders, and used the 125 pick (which was originally Baltimore’s) to move up to get Dillard and for them to get Lamar Jackson and Jaleel Scott at 132 and will pick at 125 later in this years draft.

Cool fact is that both LeSean McCoy and Sanders grew up in Pennsylvania and were both selected by the Eagles as the 53rd overall picks in their respected draft classes. Hopefully we get some similar plays from the new ball carrier in Philadelphia. It will be an electric atmosphere week 1 at home verse the Redskins as we watch Haskins crawl off the field after a Cox sack, followed by Sanders taking off down the sideline. Sheeeesh, the 2019 Philadelphia Eagles are about to be dangerous Eagles fans!

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