As the Denver Broncos attempt to clear cap space and develop their roster, veteran wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders could become a cap casualty, according to Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post.
Jhabvala’s explanation makes a ton of sense, too.
“Receiver Emmanuel Sanders will be 31 when the season begins and has two years remaining on the extension he signed in 2016. In 2018 and ’19, he has cap hits of about $10.9 million and $12.9 million, respectively. Last season Sanders missed four games because of an ankle injury and, for reasons of durability and pay, Denver could look to put him on the trading block.”
When healthy (and playing with a competent quarterback), Sanders is a productive player. Between 2014-16, he averaged 85 receptions for 1,190 yards and nearly seven touchdowns per season. So it stands to reason that Denver could potentially entice a contending team with cap space to part with draft picks in exchange for the veteran.
Still, that price tag is a pretty heavy burden for a guy whose best days could be in the rear-view mirror.
Denver has also reportedly put cornerback Aqib Talib on the trade block for similar reasons.
Obviously, the big reason Denver is working to clear up cap space is to bring in a franchise quarterback. Kirk Cousins has already been heavily tied to the Broncos, and Von Miller has helped that along nicely on a couple of occasions. But a top quarterback is going to break the bank, especially in light of what Jimmy Garoppolo just got from the San Francisco 49ers after starting just seven career games.
John Elway has his work cut out for him, to be sure.