New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley was last year's best rookie running back and it wasn't even that close, and he thinks that former teammate Miles Sanders, who was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles, will wear that crown in 2019.
Alabama's Josh Jacobs was the first running back taken off the board in the 2019 draft, with Sanders being selected 53rd overall. Sanders sat behind Barkley for two years at Penn State, but once he was thrust into the spotlight took complete advantage, rushing for 1,274 yards and nine touchdowns.
“What he went through, coming here as a five-star to sitting back and waiting for his spot and his moment, when he got his moment he took advantage of it,” Barkley said, via John McGonigal of the Centre Daily Times. “To be the second running back taken in the draft — and in my opinion, the best running back in the draft — he’s going to prove that to the league this year. I’m really excited for him.”
While Saquon Barkley was first on the depth chart with the Giants right after he was drafted, Miles Sanders is going to have to earn his playing time. Jordan Howard, Corey Clement, Josh Adams, and Wendell Smallwood are all currently on the team, and Sanders isn't going to get anything handed to him by the Eagles.
Howard will get the first chance at the lead back after the Eagles traded for him, and it's hard to imagine Sanders is going to get a ton of touches. Even if he doesn't get the chance to make a real impact as a rookie, though, at some point Sanders is going to get a shot to be the starter.
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