Steelers select:
MILES SANDERS
PENN ST.
RB
RB20
Prospect Info
COLLEGE
Penn St.
HOMETOWN
CLASS
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Junior
HEIGHT
WEIGHT
ARMS
5' 11"
211 lbs
30 5/8”
HANDS
9 1/4”
Prospect Grade
5.80
CHANCE TO BECOME NFL STARTER
HOW WE GRADE
40 Yard Dash
4.49
SECONDS
Bench Press
20
REPS
Vertical Jump
36.0
INCHES
Broad Jump
124.0
INCHES
3 Cone Drill
6.89
SECONDS
20 Yd Shuttle
4.19
SECONDS
60 Yd Shuttle
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SECONDS
SEE MORE RESULTS
PLAYLIST
Expectations for Sanders were sky-high when he signed with his home-state Nittany Lions. He was a top-25 overall prospect nationally after winning Pennsylvania's Mr. Football award in 2015 and running for over 4,500 yards during his career at Woodland Hills High School in Pittsburgh. The presence of All-American Saquon Barkley on the squad stunted Sanders' growth, though he did manage to get on the field in 13 games as a true freshman in 2016, primarily on special teams (33 returns, 688 yards, 20.8 average on kick returns; 25 carries, 184 yards, 7.4 average, one touchdown rushing; 2 catches, 14 yards, 12.0 average, one touchdown receiving). He played in 12 games with one start in 2017, receiving a few more touches (31 carries, 191 yards, 6.2 average, two touchdowns rushing; 6 catches, 30 yards, 5.0 average, receiving; 5 returns, 76 yards, 15.2 average on kick returns). With Barkley off to the NFL in 2018, Sanders took full advantage by running for 1,274 yards and nine scores on 220 carries (5.8 average). The second-team All-Big Ten selection, team's Most Valuable Offensive Player, and 13-game starter also caught 24 passes for 139 yards (5.8 average).
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
NFL Comparison
T.J. Yeldon
Overview
Well-built glider with the instincts, footwork and agility to shake tacklers but the frame and pad level to finish with some authority. He can clearly create yardage for himself, but he has average acceleration and might need to expedite his downhill process as a pro. Sanders is more skilled than explosive, but he has the size and talent to develop into a future starter with every-down potential.
Strengths
- Low mileage with just 276 career carries
- Built like NFL runner with well-defined lowers and loose hips
- Typically patient as a runner
- Good vision and quick to process what he sees
- Footwork to probe and dart around early traffic
- Able to string his moves together
- Instinctive with feel for crevices inside the run lane
- Lateral agility for slick side-door exits
- Runs with forward lean and squared pads
- Possesses above-average contact balance and falls forward
- Creates through elusiveness and power
- Third-down option with decent hands and size to block
Weaknesses
- Never eclipsed 51 rushing yards against Kentucky, Ohio State or Michigan
- Needs to run with more plant-and-go mentality
- Gets too cute in the hole at times
- Lacks explosiveness and speed to the corner
- Average access to burst after a cut
- No home-run speed in open field
- Doesn't separate from linebackers on wheel routes
- Chip blocks lack commitment
- Ball security appears to be an issue
Sources Tell Us
"He sees it well, but it looks like he's imitating Saquon (Barkley) with all the stop-start stuff he does. He doesn't have Saquon's go-go juice so he needs to be careful with all that stuff. Just trust your eyes and go. That's what I would tell him." -- Running backs coach for AFC team
