Miles Sanders Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Pro Bowl RB could be a free-agent bargain for Broncos

By Clark Dalton | Last updated 2/17/23

After finishing 21st in rushing yards, the Denver Broncos must strengthen their ground attack and refurbish a dismal offense.

The 2023 free-agent RB class includes Pro Bowl-caliber players like Saquon Barkley. However, Barkley's market value is a four-year, $49.3M deal, per Spotrac — out of Denver's price range. According to Over the Cap, Denver has $9.4M in cap space.

The Broncos can sign Philadelphia Eagles impending free-agent RB Miles Sanders, 25, at a lower price and still obtain a player with a similar production level.

In 2022, Sanders made his first Pro Bowl by rushing for 1,269 yards in 17 games, fifth in the NFL. His market value is a two-year, $14.4M contract, according to Spotrac.

The @Eagles have been dominant in the trenches thanks to strong performances from RBs Miles Sanders (@BoobieMilesXXIV) and @KENNETHGAINWEL.

Sanders racked up 1,269 rush yards in the 2022 regular season, while Gainwell provided 160 rushing yards & a rushing TD in the postseason. pic.twitter.com/35ViXAx7G4
— NFL Football Operations (@NFLFootballOps) February 10, 2023

The Eagles might want to keep him since he was a crucial piece in their Super Bowl run, but it's a challenging proposition since starting quarterback Jalen Hurts is due for a contract extension in 2024. Per Fox Sports' Ralph Vacchiano, that extension could be in the range of a five-year, $240M deal.

That is not to mention the slew of other free agents the Eagles would like to bring back.

In Denver, Sanders can open up the playbook for new Broncos head coach Sean Payton.

"Payton has always emphasized a diverse skill set in his backfield with the one-two punch of Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram II in New Orleans," wrote Pro Football Focus' Brad Speilberger.

Pairing Sanders with Javonte Williams after he returns from a torn ACL could form another powerful RB duo for Payton and give Denver an offensive driving force.

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