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NFL Free Agency Rumors: Five teams that should pursue Emmanuel Sanders

By Maxwell Ogden

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 17: Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders #10 of the Denver Broncos scores a second quarter six yard touchdown on a pass play against the Dallas Cowboys at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 17, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 17: Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders #10 of the Denver Broncos scores a second quarter six yard touchdown on a pass play against the Dallas Cowboys at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 17, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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JACKSONVILLE, FL – JANUARY 07: Quarterback Tyrod Taylor #5 of the Buffalo Bills fakes a handoff to running back LeSean McCoy #25 in the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at EverBank Field on January 7, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL – JANUARY 07: Quarterback Tyrod Taylor #5 of the Buffalo Bills fakes a handoff to running back LeSean McCoy #25 in the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at EverBank Field on January 7, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Honorable Mention: Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills simply don’t have any wide receivers who concern opposing defenses. That may sound like a harsh evaluation, but the closest player to an exception was Kelvin Benjamin, who averaged fewer than three receptions per game with Buffalo in 2017.

It’s fair to question if Emmanuel Sanders can be a legitimate No. 1 wide receiver for the Bills, but he can at least draw the attention of an opposing defensive coordinator.

Buffalo won nine games and reached the playoffs in 2017, but it did so in spite of its passing attack. No Bills wide receiver recorded more than 30 receptions this past season, with running back LeSean McCoy (59) and tight end Charles Clay (49) leading the team.

Tyrod Taylor and Nathan Peterman aren’t exactly elite passers, but an absence of ideal wide receiver play couldn’t have helped.

Buffalo finished 2017 ranked No. 22 in completion percentage, No. 26 in yards per attempt, No. 27 in passing touchdowns, and No. 31 in passing yards. One of the primary issues was the absence of a wide receiver who could simply be trusted to move the chains.

Considering Sanders finished 2016 with a drop rate of 1.25, it’s safe to assume his 2017 decline to 9.62 was an anomaly. He’s worth investing in.

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