Emmanuel Sanders wants to get paid like a big-time receiver.
According to Mile High Sports Radio’s Eric Goodman, Sanders is looking for $12 million over the course of four years. He also is seeking $24 million in guarantees, but will settle for $21 million.
Goodman and Les Shapiro asked if Sanders was worth the $48 million he was seeking on the Afternoon Drive on Mile High Sports Radio AM 1310 / FM 104.7.
“I think they need to get Von Miller done before they get Emmanuel done,” said Shapiro. “He’s a leader and they need him. I think Paxton Lynch is going to need him and Thomas.”
Over the past two seasons, Sanders has recorded 177 total receptions, 2,539 yards and 15 TDs while only missing one game.
Peyton Manning struggled and Brock Osweiler played average and Sanders still hauled in six touchdowns last season.
If Sanders were to get paid what he wants, he would be the seventh highest-paid receiver on average in the NFL, behind his teammate Demaryius Thomas ($14 million) and Colts receiver T.Y. Hilton ($13 million).
The other four recievers who would be getting paid more would be Julio Jones ($14 milion), Dez Bryant ($14 million), A.J. Green ($15 million), and Alshon Jeffery ($14.6 million). Jeffery is playing under the franchise tag for the Chicago Bears.
Of those seven receivers, here’s how their last two seasons have stacked up, ranked by receiving yards:
1. Julio Jones: 240 receptions; 3,464 yards; 14 touchdowns
2. Demaryius Thomas: 216 receptions; 2,923 yards; 17 touchdowns
3. Emmanuel Sanders: 177 receptions; 2,539 yards; 15 touchdowns
4. T.Y. Hilton: 151 receptions; 2,469 yards; 12 touchdowns
5. A.J. Green: 155 receptions; 2,338 yards; 16 touchdowns
6. Alshon Jeffery: 139 receptions; 1,940 yards; 14 touchdowns
7. Dez Bryant: 119 receptions; 1,721 yards; 19 touchdowns
Clearly, Sanders is well within the discussion of best wide receivers in the NFL, and compared to those getting top dollar, he’s producing on an equal and sometimes greater level.
“As far as Emmanuel Sanders goes, I think he’s one of the top recievers in the league,” said Shapiro. “At those numbers, four years $12 million a year, with about $22 or $24 million dollars guaranteed, that’s about where he should be.”
If John Elway and the rest of the Broncos’ front office feel that Sanders is asking for to much, though, they’ve proven they’re not afraid to move on.
“The Broncos staff believes they can replace good players if they become expensive, and they’ve done a good job doing that,” said Shapiro. “It depends how good that personnel staff and GM is. They recognize talent better than most.”
Based on the players making $12 million or more on average, it isn’t improbable to say Sanders deserves the same. The more important question is whether the Broncos feel like they need a receiver of Sanders’ caliber, who’s also making $12 million a year; they could opt to bank on the upside of a younger, cheaper receiver instead.
That said, if they decide not to extend Sanders, they’re losing one of the most productive, trustworthy recievers in the league, and that is something the Broncos cannot afford to do considering their current quarterback situation.
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