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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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BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens passes in the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens passes in the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

2. Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens have invested far too much money in Joe Flacco to not equip him with a true No. 1 wide receiver. That’s what transpired in 2017, however, as Flacco’s top three pass-catchers were Mike Wallace, Benjamin Watson, and a banged up Jeremy Maclin.

Flacco certainly deserves some of the blame for Baltimore’s inconsistency in the passing game, but Emmanuel Sanders is the type of player who can alleviate significant pressure from him.

Wallace led the Ravens with 52 receptions for 748 yards in 2017, and Watson ranked No. 2 with 61 receptions for 522 yards. With all due respect to both players, neither are ideal first or second receiving options for a postseason-caliber team.

Sanders has the track record of a player who can be trusted to make plays in tight coverage, and Flacco is a quarterback who needs a target he can trust.

What makes Sanders so special—and so perfect for the Ravens—is that he’s an outstanding route runner. Even if he’s lost some of his explosiveness and dynamic playmaking ability, he’ll be where the ball expects him to be.

The Ravens have solid players in the receiving corps, but if their plan is to legitimize the unit with another dependable target, then Sanders should be their guy.

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