49ers must issue a stern ‘no’ to signing these 5 free agents
By Peter Panacy
Free agent 49ers must avoid No. 2: Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, Bills
It would be somewhat cool to see a San Francisco reunion with its former wide receiver from the second half of the 2019 campaign, now-Buffalo Bills wideout Emmanuel Sanders, who was a big reason why the 49ers made it to the Super Bowl two years ago.
Sanders was a big part of that year’s offense. And despite him being 34 years old last season, his 42 receptions for 626 yards and four touchdowns show he can still play at a modestly high level despite his advancing age.
So, why not entertain that reunion with a player already familiar with head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense?
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For starters, the Niners aren’t looking for a tertiary threat at the position of Sanders’ ilk. They already boast two quality wideouts in Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, while third-year pro Jauan Jennings is likely poised to assume the No. 3 spot on the depth chart.
It’s better to let that trio develop and get the lion’s share of targets together.
Additionally, Sanders might be looking at what could be the final substantial payout of his pro career, and he probably wouldn’t want to settle for the kind of money he’d receive from San Francisco anyway, the kind paid to a back-end-of-the-roster player.
Too bad. But a wise move regardless.