ESPN Insiders are drawing criticism with their recent evaluations of major NFL off-season moves, echoing the rigorous grading one might expect from an AP Calculus exam.
Their analysis includes a critical review of the Carolina Panthers’ acquisition of former Eagles running back Miles Sanders. Sanders, who had a standout season on the way to the Super Bowl, rushed for 1,269 yards on 259 attempts (4.9 yards per carry) and scored 11 touchdowns, adding 20 catches for 78 yards. Despite these numbers, the Panthers’ signing of Sanders received a C- grade.
The report highlights concerns about Sanders’ performance: “While Sanders appears efficient with a career average of 5.0 yards per carry, his statistics were bolstered by playing with the Eagles, who boasted the second-best run-blocking unit last season and a rushing quarterback in Jalen Hurts.
Sanders has consistently averaged only 0.4 yards over expectation per carry over the past three seasons, which is lower than D’Onta Foreman’s 0.8 with the Panthers last year. Foreman is likely to command a lower salary.”
The Panthers are expected to draft a quarterback with the first pick they obtained from the Chicago Bears and use their remaining six picks to address other needs, potentially targeting wide receivers like Josh Downs (North Carolina), Rashee Rice (SMU), or Cedric Tillman (Tennessee).
In a follow-up, ESPN’s Stephania Bell, a fantasy football analyst, criticized the move further: “While I support fair compensation for running backs, the Panthers’ decision to replace D’Onta Foreman with Sanders—who has a more expensive contract despite a standout season behind a top offensive line—seems questionable. Foreman, who had a career-best 914 rushing yards last season, was let go in favor of Sanders, who will cost more.”
Matt Miller, an NFL draft analyst, also weighed in: “The contract for Sanders, four years and $25 million, seems excessive for a running back not named Saquon Barkley. For comparison, Foreman, who rushed for 914 yards in Carolina last year, signed with Chicago for only $3 million.”