Emmanuel Sanders, WR, New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints look to make one last run at a title with quarterback Drew Brees in the fold, and as such needed to find a running mate for wide receiver Michael Thomas. They could have done so in the draft, but picking near the end of the first round might have made such a proposition difficult, especially with needs at other positions.
Instead, they found a sidekick for Thomas on the open market, signing Sanders to a two-year deal for $16 million. This is a steal for the Saints, especially when you consider what other receivers made on the open market, and his projected market value. According to Sportrac, Sanders is worth about $10 million per season. Instead, he comes in under that number to catch passes from Drew Brees. Then when you look at Robby Anderson, for example, signing a two-year, $20 million deal, you can see the value that Sanders affords the Saints.
There might be some overlap between what Sanders brings to the table and what Thomas does, as both players operate well out of the slot, but over his career Sanders has been able to function on the boundary, as has Thomas. However Sean Payton decides to use them, he and Brees both have an exciting new weapon at their disposal.
Bulaga | Sanders | Clinton-Dix | Ebron | Butler | Littleton | Joseph | Agholor | Ebner | Harris | Hargrave