Week 11 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Emmanuel Sanders looks to be mostly healed from the ankle injury that kept him out a couple of games in October. Last Sunday versus the Patriots, he was targeted 11 times by Brock Osweiler, resulting in 6 catches for a season-high 137 yards. It was his first 100-yard game of the year and his most receptions since Week 3 in Buffalo. Denver’s offense has a chance to improve this week at home versus the Bengals, who are allowing 321 yards per game.
Week 10 vs. New England Patriots
Still dealing with a sore ankle that cost him the previous two weeks, Emmanuel Sanders finished last week’s game at Philly with just 1 grab for 30 yards. As he sat on the bench in the fourth quarter, you could tell Sanders was still far from 100%. He’ll be back on the field at home versus a Patriots defense ranked last in stopping the pass. So, even with Brock Osweiler under center again, Sanders makes for a WR3/flex option.
Week 9 at Philadelphia Eagles
Emmanuel Sanders has missed the past two contests with an ankle injury and the Broncos offense could definitely use him to light a spark. He should be able to play this week, but he will be receiving passes from Brock Osweiler. While Osweiler has a stronger arm than Trevor Siemian, which could help the speedy WR, his accuracy hasn’t been the best. As long as he’s cleared to play, go ahead and start Sanders, as Denver may once again be playing catchup, leading to more pass plays than game-planned.
Week 8 at Kansas City Chiefs
After not playing last Sunday, Emmanuel Sanders is listed as day-to-day and could be on the field for the Broncos in Kansas City. The offense could definitely use a spark, as Denver has scored just 36 total points the past four contests. It’s a tough call with the Broncos playing on Monday Night, but if he’s cleared to go, he’s worthy of a WR3/flex option against a weak Chiefs pass defense.
Week 6 vs. New York Giants
The Raiders contained Emmanuel Sanders two weeks ago, as he finished with just 4 receptions for 27 yards. In the first four games of 2017, Sanders has totaled 20 grabs, but for only 190 yards and 2 TDs. The Denver passing game has sputtered a bit out of the gate, but has a chance to improve after the week off and playing at home against a Giants defense allowing 225 yards per game through the air. Consider Sanders a WR3 option on Sunday night.
Week 4 vs. Oakland Raiders
Emmanuel Sanders led Denver in targets (15) and receptions (7) last Sunday in the loss to the Bills. He finished with 75 yards and nearly had a lot more, if replay hadn’t overturned what initially looked like a nice catch and run on a long pass from Trevor Siemian. While the Denver offense sputtered a bit in Buffalo, look for it to get on track at home versus the Raiders. Oakland is allowing 252 yards per game through the air, so be sure to keep starting Sanders.
Week 3 at Buffalo Bills
Even though Emmanuel Sanders is averaging just 9.8 yards per catch in the first two games of the season, he caught 6 passes for 62 yards and scored twice last Sunday in the Broncos' blowout of the Cowboys. Both of his touchdowns came on short tosses, from 10 and six yards away. Trevor Siemian is looking for Sanders and Demaryius Thomas at a fairly even clip so far (16 targets to Thomas, 13 to Sanders), but the Bills defense has been stingy so far this year. With the tough matchup, Sanders remains a WR3 play.
Week 2 vs. Dallas Cowboys
Last Monday night versus the Los Angeles Rams, Emmanuel Sanders received 6 looks from Trevor Siemian, but finished with just 3 grabs for 26 yards. Demaryius Thomas led the way with 5 catches, but it was No. 3 wide receiver Bennie Fowler who caught both scores from Siemian. Despite the poor beginning to the season, Sanders is still a vital part of the offense and will be used to stretch the defense. He makes for a WR3 play at home versus Dallas.
Week 1 vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Despite registering just 79 receptions last season, Emmanuel Sanders has eclipsed 1,000 yards in each of his three seasons in Denver. With a change in offensive coordinator to Mike McCoy, look for the Broncos offense to feature more of a passing attack with Trevor Siemian in 2017. In the two games facing the Chargers last season, Sanders was limited to eight total grabs for 108 yards and zero touchdowns. However, he should get off to a strong start in front of the home crowd on Monday night.
Fantasy Upside
Emmanuel Sanders finished the 2016 season with 79 grabs for 1,032 yards and five touchdowns. Since joining the Broncos in 2014, Sanders has missed only one game and has averaged 85 receptions for 1,190 yards. He produced three games of 100-plus yards and caught at least four passes in 11 contests last season, and he has scored a total of 20 times as a Bronco.
Fantasy Downside
Under Gary Kubiak’s more conservative offense, Sanders' reception numbers dropped from 101 in 2014 to 76 and 79, respectively, the past two seasons. He just barely eclipsed 1,000 yards last season, while averaging 13.1 yards per reception –- his lowest since he arrived in the Mile High City. He may begin to slow down a tad now that he's turned 30.
2017 Bottom Line
With Mike McCoy returning to call plays for the Broncos, look for the offense to move away from the previous conservative approach under Kubiak. Sanders still has incredible speed, which has been beneficial with both the deep ball and short slants he can turn in to long gains. Playing in an offense that will see more pass attempts, Sanders should again be a top-20 WR.
