5 Bold Eagles Predictions for the 2023 Season

4. Swift and Penny Make Up for Sanders’ Departure

One of the biggest blows this offseason was when Miles Sanders left in free agency to join the Carolina Panthers. After all, he was coming off a career year that saw him rack up nearly 1,300 rushing yards while scoring 11 TDs on the ground.

Instead of finding just one running back to replicate Sanders’ production, general manager Howie Roseman opted to trade for D’Andre Swift before signing Rashaad Penny as a free agent.

Neither man is better than Sanders on their own, but together, they can fill the hole he left in the backfield.

Swift is due to bounce back after turning 147 total touches into 931 yards from scrimmage with eight TDs over 14 games. Injuries played a role in his lack of consistent production. With another offseason to heal, I see him getting back to the 2021 form that saw him average 82.2 yards from scrimmage per game (on pace for 1,397 in a 17-game season).

Penny could be a difference-maker too if he can stay on the field. Injuries have kept him off the field more often than not throughout his career, but his 6.2 yards per carry with five 135-yard-plus performances over the last two seasons can’t be ignored.

Sharing the backfield duties — along with RBs like Kenneth Gainwell and Boston Scott — will help keep Swift and Penny healthy. As long as the newly-arrived duo plays the majority of games, Eagles fans will forget that Sanders even exists.