New Orleans Saints: 3 reasons Emmanuel Sanders is the perfect target

New Orleans Saints: 3 reasons Emmanuel Sanders is the perfect deadline target

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 29: Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders #10 of the Denver Broncos tries to elude defensive back Jarrod Wilson #26 of the Jacksonville Jaguars after catching a pass during the fourth quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on September 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. The Jaguars defeated the Broncos 26-24. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Production

Sanders missed the last few games of the 2018 season with an Achilles’ injury. For some players, that injury may have been a career-changer, but the receiver clearly hasn’t let it alter his explosiveness.

When he’s been targeted this season, playing in all seven games, Sanders has excelled. Of those seven performances, Sanders has been thrown to at least six times in four of them, notching at least 60 yards in each game which he’s seen over five targets.

Sanders has topped 100 once and 80 three times. His numbers, playing Joe Flacco at quarterback, don’t give Sanders’ elusiveness enough credit. He’s been extremely valuable for their offense to start the season.

Now 2-5, the Broncos will struggle to make the playoffs so dealing away one of their better players that could leave anyway seems like a smart move. Sanders has been in Denver since his first Pro Bowl appearance in 2014.

Trading Sanders would automatically send their reason into official rebuild mode, but if they don’t deal him, they may just be postponing the inevitable.