Reports: 49ers swing trade for wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders
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SANTA CLARA — Emmanuel Sanders, to the rescue? The 49ers (6-0) obviously don’t need a savior but they did need to bolster their wide receiver corps, and they’ve done so via a Tuesday trade with the Broncos.
It’s apparently costing the 49ers plenty of 2020 draft capital — third- and fourth-round picks — to obtain the 32-year-old wide receiver as well as a fifth-round draft pick, Denver’s 9News first reported.
The 49ers and Broncos have yet to confirm the deal, which likely is contingent upon Sanders passing a physical examination.
Sanders, a 10th-year veteran, is less than a year removed from an Achilles tear, but, two months ago, the 49ers saw first-hand how well he’s recovered as he made athletic catches against them in August’s joint practices in Denver.
Caught Emmanuel Sanders as he was leaving the #Broncos facility. #4Broncos @CBSDenver #BroncosCountry pic.twitter.com/JRDtdHH3N3
— Michael Spencer (@MichaelCBS4) October 22, 2019
Sanders, as he left the Broncos facility, told CBS Denver: “I’m looking forward to coming out to San Fran, showcasing my talent, meet the guys, hopefully add my explosiveness and capabilities in their system.”
The 49ers (6-0) have won with defense and a run-oriented approach, while they’ve totaled a NFL-low 49 catches from their wide receivers and otherwise have relied on tight end George Kittle (34 catches, 376 yards, 1 TD).
Sanders (5-foot-11, 180 pounds) comes with a No. 1-receiver pedigree, even if it’s only on a rental basis for 10 games plus his fifth career playoff run.
Let’s gooo @ESanders_10 ! Welcome to the Block https://t.co/Dcl4mmyIrr
— Kwon Alexander (@kwon) October 22, 2019
Sanders’ style has long been admired by 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan, who raved about him to Denver reporters on a conference call before last December’s game.
“Emmanuel, to me, has been one of the most underrated receivers in the league his entire career,” Shanahan said then. “He’s been a No. 1 receiver since he’s been in Denver.
“… Emmanuel is the man. He’s always been the man. He is extremely quick, he knows how to separate, he can beat man coverage and he’s also fearless. He’s aggressive with the ball. He doesn’t mind going there and blocking. He doesn’t mind going over the middle. And he’s one of the tougher challenges in the league.”
Sanders had 30 receptions for 367 yards and two touchdowns this year for the Broncos, whose scheme should draw some parallels to the 49ers’ considering their offensive coordinator is Rich Scangarello, the 49ers’ 2017-18 quarterbacks coach.
“Just talking to Rich, he was telling me it’s the same offense, different concepts, but I’ll be able to pick it up easy,” Sanders said.
Shanahan and general manager John Lynch have been active in every avenue to upgrade the 49ers since inheriting a 2-14 club. They’ve overhauled the roster through the draft but also with big trades such as this one, a 2017 deal for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and the March move for pass rusher Dee Ford.
The 49ers spent their second-round picks in the past two drafts on wide receivers — Dante Pettis and Deebo Samuel — as well as a third-rounder this year on Jalen Hurd, who’s yet to debut and is on injured reserve, as is 2017 fifth-round find Trent Taylor.
Samuel (15 receptions, 168 yards, 1 TD) did not practice last week and sat out Sunday’s 9-0 win with a groin injury, and Marquise Goodwin (11-818-1) eventually got taken out after getting shaken up with a hit to his upper body. Dante Pettis (9-83-1) has started alongside Goodwin since Week 2.
Jordan Matthews figures to be the most expendable of the receivers, as the 49ers received key contributions Sunday from Kendrick Bourne and Richie James Jr. Meanwhile, Taylor (foot) and Hurd (back) are ineligible to return for at least another month, if at all.
Sanders’ contract expires after this season, and the 49ers are responsible for the remaining $6 million.
As for the draft picks he cost, the 49ers figure to draft low and the Broncos (2-5) high, so it amounts to a third-round pick plus the difference in their fourth- and fifth-round slots.
A 2010 third-round draft pick, he played his first four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Upon signing in free agency with the Denver Broncos, Sanders’ career skyrocketed alongside Peyton Manning. Sanders put up career-high numbers in 2014 (101 catches, 1,404 yards, nine touchdowns) and then helped lead the 2015 Broncos to the Super Bowl title, winning it on the 49ers’ field against the Carolina Panthers.
Sanders figures to suit up Sunday on that same field against the same opponent, Carolina.
The 49ers also pursued wide receiver Mohammed Sanu before the Atlanta Falcons agreed to trade him to the league’s only other unbeaten team, the New England Patriots, NFL Network reported.
— Garrison Sanborn was released Tuesday as the 49ers welcome back Kyle Nelson, who’ll be their fourth long snapper this season as he comes off a 10-game suspension.
Check back for more on this developing story.
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