I have a few questions and concerns about Sanders that won't be answered until about halfway through the season.
In 2022, his fourth year as a pro, Sanders by far had his best year.1,269 yards rushing, 11 TD's, 4.9 YPA. He started 15 games but played in all 17. In the passing game he was a mere 20 receptions for 78 yards. He had nine total touchdowns in his first three years. In his first year he had 50 receptions for 509 yards and has never come close to that as a receiver since.
Philly had no issues letting him walk despite his good year, swapping him out for D'Andre Swift. Swift went on to have by far the best year of his five-year career and watched his YPC fall from 4.6 to 3.8 after leaving Philly, while Sanders, in 16 games for the Panthers in 2023, rushed for 432 yards and one TD. He only gained 202 yards with two TD's in eleven games last year.
Was Sanders a product of Philly's system under Shane Steichen in 2022? Why didn't Sanders put up better numbers in the previous years behind Philly's o-line? Why did Sanders crash and burn in Carolina?
My other big concern with Sanders is his playoff performances. Sanders has played in five post-season games, and to say he disappoints in the post-season is a fair assessment. That is the last thing we need from a skill position player, given our recent playoff history. Sanders in five playoffs games has 56 rushes for 233 yards and two TD's, and only seven receptions for 23 yards.
So, can we realistically expect the 2022 Sanders to show up this year? It would be a boon to our team if he did, but history is against this happening.