Fantasy Football

Miles Sanders Fantasy Outlook for 2023

By Doug Burrell

Posted on August 3, 2023

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Miles Sanders Fantasy 2023

Miles Sanders had a great year in 2022, rushing for 1,269 yards, fifth most in the league, and 11 touchdowns on 259 carries. He also caught 20 passes for 78 yards, although he did not score a receiving touchdown. Sanders was primarily used as an early-down back in Philadelphia, seeing only 26 targets as a receiver. PFF ranked him as the 25th-best overall running back.

In the offseason, Sanders signed a four-year, $25.4 million contract with the Carolina Panthers. Sanders’ contract with the Panthers makes him the NFL’s 12th-highest-paid running back. His new role with the Carolina Panthers makes him the focal point of the team’s ground game. He will be a consistent contributor who possesses the skills to excel as a runner and a receiver. He should receive more than enough touches and opportunities to make a big fantasy impact. I have him projected as an RB2 playing in an offense with a rookie quarterback.

Latest Odds

I think Sanders will rush for 1100+ yards this season. His average odds (over/under) for rushing is 925.5 which I gathered from a list over the top bookmakers in 2023. Throughout his career, Sanders has averaged 65 rushing yards per game, which over a span of 17 games equates to approximately 1100 yards. Even if he were to miss two games, he would still total around 975 yards. Although Sanders is transitioning from Philadelphia’s top-tier offensive line to Carolina’s underrated O-line, it should be noted that the Panthers averaged 130 rushing yards per game last season, 10th best in the league. While Carolina may not experience as many positive game scripts as Philadelphia did, if Sanders remains healthy, he should surpass his rushing total quite comfortably.

Current ADP

Sanders is currently being drafted around the 66th spot overall in PPR leagues. Among the running backs, he’s typically the 20th player off the board. However, in my own rankings, I have him ranked a bit higher at 41st overall and consider him the 19th-best RB for PPR formats.

Based on his ADP, Sanders could be a valuable pick in the late 5th, early 6th round of PPR leagues. His ADP has stayed pretty consistent throughout the summer and it’s unlikely we’ll see significant movement in his ADP before the season kicks off.

Considering where he’s currently being drafted, Sanders’ upside as an RB, and where I have him in my rankings, he’s a solid pick in the middle rounds of PPR drafts.

Fantasy Outlook for 2023

Sanders finds himself in an intriguing situation for the 2023 NFL season as he transitions from a Super Bowl team with a great offense to a rebuilding team with a rookie quarterback and new coaching staff in the Carolina Panthers. Despite the changes, I’m expecting him to be the Panthers’ primary three-down back, providing him with increased opportunities to contribute both as a rusher and a receiver.

With the departure of Christian McCaffrey, Sanders steps into a significant role in the Panthers’ offense. While he’s unlikely to match McCaffrey’s share in the passing game, I anticipate Sanders’ involvement to increase significantly over last season, resulting in 30-35 receptions this season.

Last year, Sanders rushed for 1,269 yards and 11 touchdowns while also catching 20 receptions for 78 yards. He has shown he’s able to handle a heavy volume of carries and be a focal point of the offense. The Panthers’ decision to sign Sanders to a four-year, $25 million deal in free agency further emphasizes their belief in his ability as a feature back.

While there are risks associated with drafting Sanders, such as his historical inconsistency and adjusting to a new offensive system, there is reason to be optimistic about his potential in Carolina. With his talent and the opportunity presented to him, Sanders has the potential to be a solid RB2 in fantasy football for the upcoming season.

Fantasy Value

Miles Sanders is a safe pick for fantasy football, but he doesn’t have a high ceiling. He should get at least 200 carries this season and catch more passes with the Panthers than he did with the Eagles. I would expect him to be a safely valve for Bryce Young. He’s not likely to finish as a top 10 RB, but at his ADP, he offers a safe, RB2 floor with consistent production each week.

Dynasty Value

At 26 years old, Sanders finds himself in a promising position after signing a lucrative contract. His role as a three-down back in Carolina significantly enhances his value, making him an enticing prospect for fantasy dynasty teams aiming for immediate success. However, despite his potential, his age and relatively low target share diminish his appeal as a high-value target for dynasty teams focused on long-term investments. While Sanders presents a win-now opportunity, his limited involvement in the passing game raises questions about his sustained production over time. Dynasty managers must carefully weigh the benefits of Sanders’ present impact against his future potential.

Bold Prediction

This is called a bold prediction for a reason. The odds may be low, but it’s not out of the realm of possibilities for Sanders to rush for 1200+ yards, score double-digit touchdowns and finish as a low-end RB1.