Going into training camp you would have been hard pressed to find anyone who didn't view Miles Sanders as the team's clear-cut, No. 1 running back.
Seven practices into training camp, however, it certainly hasn't looked like that.
Sanders might indeed still end up leading the Eagles' running back in touches, but so far it looks like Nick Sirianni plans to use backup Boston Scott just as much — and maybe even more in the passing game.
Here is how the touches through seven practices stack up between the two:
Carries:
Sanders: 21
Scott: 15
Catches:
Sanders: 14 (16 targets)
Scott: 14 (16 targets)
Total Touches:
Sanders: 35
Scott: 29
Sanders has been more involved in the running game, but the two are dead even in the passing game, and it wouldn't be surprising is Scott eventually passes Sanders in that department.
While perhaps it shouldn't be surprising, something that has definitely stood out so far in camp has been Sanders' struggles catching the ball.
Sanders has two drops in team drills so far in camp, but he has let a few more passes bounce off his hands during individual drills as well. It seems Sanders is aware he has had some issues dropping the ball, as he has been working off to the side with coaches during practice on catching and has been doing a ton of work on the jugs machine.
Sanders struggles with drops are nothing new. The big plays he made in the passing game as a rookie painted him as an excellent receiving back, and he certainly can be dangerous, but they also overshadowed to a degree the issues he has had drops. Sanders dropped three passes as a rookie and that number more than double in 2020 to seven. The Eagles poor quarterback play certainly played a role in Sanders' drop in receiving yards (from 509 to 197), but his drops were a factor as well.
Scott, meanwhile, has been excellent in the passing game.
Scott hasn't dropped a single pass so far in camp and has looked good after the catch. While Sanders has 10 drops over the last two seasons, Scott has just one. Sanders has had more targets, but has a drop rate of 8.6%. Scott's drop rate is just 1.6%.
Head coach Nick Sirianni spoke highly of Scott's ability in the passing game earlier this week and how he plans on moving the running back around the field.
"He shows ability in the backfield, in the run game, and in the pass game, whether that's protecting or splitting out wide," Scott said. "Guys that are multiple with what they can do and not just a one-trick pony to say, they're hard to defend. So I'm glad we have Boston because he seems like he can do a lot."
It is very clear Sirianni plans on using his running backs a ton in the passing game. The eight running backs on the roster have a combined 90 targets so far in training camp. That is eight more (82) than the receivers have. Some of that is on the quarterbacks for checking the ball down, but Sirianni has been clear that in the beginning days of camp they are installing plays that are going to be staples of their offense. If that is indeed true there is no question the running backs are going to be seeing plenty of targets once the regular season begins.
Sanders is going to be a big part of that, but so far, Scott has looked like the team's best receiving back on the roster. He is probably not the team's most dangerous running back int he passing game, but he might be their most dependable, and that could end up mattering more to Sirianni.
If that remains the case, Scott is going to be seeing a ton of time on the field next season — and could end up seeing almost as many touches as Sanders.
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
