Panthers' Miles Sanders 2023 NFL season props, odds: Carolina running back likely out for preseason, should be ready Week 1 vs. Falcons

One big storyline this NFL offseason was how some of the NFL's top running backs were deeply unhappy with their pay, and a few big-name backs being released so that their teams could save money. One tailback did cash in big on the free agent market: Miles Sanders, who jumped ship from Philadelphia to Carolina. Sanders is dealing with a groin injury and might miss the entire Panthers' preseason but is expected to be ready for Week 1 in Atlanta.

Sanders didn't play in Carolina's preseason opener, a 27-0 home loss to the New York Jets – parts of which you can now see on the latest episode of HBO's "Hard Knocks," featuring the Jets. Spencer Brown, Chuba Hubbard and Raheem Blackshear handled the running back duties. As bad as the Carolina offensive line looked (granted, against a Super Bowl-caliber defense), maybe it was a good thing Sanders wasn't out there.

Carolina signed Sanders to a four-year deal worth roughly $25 million in March. He was named to his first Pro Bowl last season after setting career highs with 1,269 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. He added an additional 148 yards and two touchdowns in the Eagles' three playoff games, but it was pretty clear that Philly was moving on from him given his postseason workload. The Eagles were uninterested in giving Sanders more than $6.25 million per season, and many around the NFL were shocked he got that much from the Panthers because running backs have been so devalued (ask Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook, to name two).

There's a reason many rookie running backs have immediate success, as it's considered one of the easiest positions at which to transition from college football to the NFL. The Panthers may run a lot early this year to protect their quarterback, No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young, who took a beating in the first preseason game. and until the offensive line gels. Thus, it's obviously not ideal Sanders that will not take an exhibition game snap to get in sync with Young, but perhaps not a huge issue as long as there is plenty of practice time.

Hubbard is going to get some touches, as he's a solid No. 2 who rushed 95 times for 466 yards and three TDs in 15 games last year while catching 14 passes for 171 yards. That Hubbard was still around led many to be surprised the Panthers spent so much money on Sanders when they are in a major rebuild. Carolina also signed Brown as an undrafted free agent out of UAB. He was the best back in the debacle vs. the Jets with 34 yards on eight carries.

Here are Miles Sanders props available at DraftKings:

• To win Offensive Player of the Year: +15000
• To lead NFL in rushing yards: +3000
• To lead NFL in rushing TDs: +4000
• Over/Under 925.5 rushing yards: Under -115 favorite
• Over/Under 6.5 rushing TDs: Under -130 favorite
• To have at least 1500 rushing yards: +550
• To have at least eight 100-yard games: +700
• To have at least three 150-yard games: +1000
• Sanders or Adam Thielen to have at least 1250 yards from scrimmage: +100

The Panthers have never had a player lead the NFL in rushing yards. Christian McCaffrey finished third in 2019 with 1,387. DeAngelo Williams holds the team record with 1,515 in 2008 but was also only third that year. Williams did lead the league with 18 rushing TDs, however, the lone Panther to do that.

Carolina is currently a 3-point underdog for Week 1 against the Falcons, and the SportsLine Projection Model forecasts Sanders for 12.9 carries for 62 yards and 0.26 TDs.

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