3. Premium Value and Production As A Pass Catcher
Sanders averaged 1.61 yards per route run in 2019 (h/t to Rotoworld’s Ian Hartitz), a number bested by just five running backs (Austin Ekeler, Dalvin Cook, James White, Christian McCaffrey and Chris Thompson). Among 32 rookie running backs with at least 50 targets since 2000 (h/t to Hartitz again), only Alvin Kamara (8.26) has bested Sanders’ 8.08 average yards per target.
Of Sanders’ 63 targets last year, 11 came in the red zone (14.5 percent team share) with one in six of the final seven games. Two of those targets went for touchdowns, out of eight from 11-20 yards out.
Splitting work for nine games last year, Sanders still had 50 receptions. A bigger snap share from the outset in 2020 secures more opportunities in the passing game, to offset any drop from that 8.08 yards per target or 10.18 yards per catch from 2019.
