The Cleveland Browns should explore trading for Emmanuel Sanders

Acquiring a veteran receiver is a need the Cleveland Browns cannot ignore this offseason.

The Cleveland Browns need a wide receiver. Preferably, one who can play in the slot and provide whoever is throwing the ball a reliable target. This could be addressed by the draft or free agency, but trading for an established veteran is also an option.

The Denver Broncos may be gearing up to make a run at signing QB Kirk Cousins this offseason. In order to do that, they need to create cap space, as Cousins has a very good chance to sign the most lucrative contract in NFL history, surpassing Jimmy Garropolo’s five-year $137 million dollar extension he received from the San Francisco 49ers.

The Broncos are looking to shed some salary, and players such as CB Aqib Talib and WR Demaryius Thomas could be traded or released. According to NFL Update, the Broncos are also interested in parting with WR Emmanuel Sanders.

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Cleveland would do well to at least inquire about Sanders. The asking price shouldn’t be too high, as Sanders is under contract for two more seasons, and is owed around $22 million over that period.

He will turn 31 in May and most wide receivers begin to decline after passing 30. A fourth-round pick is probably what Denver is looking for, but they may have to settle for even less than that.

With over $110 million in cap space, Cleveland could certainly afford to bring in Sanders. In addition, he is only guaranteed a little over $2 million in 2019, so if the Browns decide to move on from him earlier than expected, it would hardly cost them to do so.

After spending his first four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sanders signed with the Broncos and promptly made his first pro bowl appearance in 2014. During that season, he caught 101 passes for 1,404 yards and nine touchdowns.

In 2017, Sanders’ numbers took a dip as he missed four games. He finished with 47 catches for 555 yards and two touchdowns. Denver’s below-average quarterback situation did not do him any favors.

Sanders is not a game-changing player, but he can still greatly improve an offense. At 5’11” and 186 lbs, Sanders is a perfect fit in the slot but he has the ability to play outside and stretch the field. His versatility makes him a good fit for any offense.

Adding Sanders to an offense which includes David Njoku, Corey Coleman, and Josh Gordon would give the Browns a formidable receiving group, which would greatly help whoever is playing under center in 2018.

Kansas City Chiefs WR Albert Wilson is also a free agency option. However, he is not nearly as proven as Sanders. Miami Dolphins WR Jarvis Landry is five years younger than Sanders. He also has had better statistical production over the past few seasons. With that though will be the command of a larger contract.

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Sanders provides the perfect balance of production, low-risk, fit, and high reward. If the price is right for the Browns, then they should try to acquire him.

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