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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 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.
“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,” Sanders told CBS Denver as he drove away from the Broncos facility.
Jimmy Garoppolo, once he clues Sanders in that “San Fran” is the anti-moniker, will have a proven target to boost the league’s 25th-ranked passing attack; the Broncos (2-5) are ranked 26th.
“Emmanuel is a passionate football player whose toughness and competitive nature have helped him become a dynamic playmaker in this league,” 49ers general manager John Lynch said in a statement. “He possesses a number of qualities, on and off the field, that we value in our players.”
See you soon 😁#GoNiners pic.twitter.com/NwjClgSj9q
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 22, 2019
The 49ers said the deal is contingent upon Sanders passing a physical examination.
Broncos general manager John Elway did announce the verbal agreement, however, and Elway said that Sanders sought out.
“When you look at it, Emmanuel had issues and we had issues,” Elway said, according to 9News.com. “That’s why it was a good time for us to go a different direction for Emmanuel to go a different direction and for us to go a different direction.”
Last month, Sanders said of the Broncos’ bad start: “Times are rough around here, obviously, the past few years, it’s been tough. We’re trying to get it right, right now we’re 0-3, living in a world of suck. Football is still fun, but not as much fun when you’re losing.”
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
The 49ers (6-0) have won with the NFL’s No. 2 defense and No. 2 rushing attack. They’ve had 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.
Added Lynch: “His familiarity in a similar offensive system will allow for a quick transition. We are excited to add Emmanuel to our roster and look forward to seeing him positively impact our team.”
Shanahan and 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 Halloween 2017 deal for Garoppolo and this March’s move for pass rusher Dee Ford.
Let’s Ride❗️. @ESanders_10 https://t.co/pJHvcLkNAo
— Deebo (@19problemz) October 22, 2019
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.
Among those welcoming Sanders via Twitter were Samuel (“Let’s Ride!”) and linebacker Kwon Alexander (“Let’s gooo! Welcome to the Block!!”).
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 was 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.
Welcome big dawg!! 💪🏾 https://t.co/AbWZvt3ktk
— Kendrick Bourne Poly (@BournePoly11) October 22, 2019
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.
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