Week 6 at San Diego
Like Trevor Siemian, it appears rookie Paxton Lynch has a good rapport with Emmanuel Sanders as well. Emmanuel was targeted nine times in the loss to the Falcons last Sunday, resulting in seven grabs for 80 yards. He is averaging eight catches during the past three weeks, but the Denver QBs have been unable to hook up with the speedy receiver on the deep ball. Regardless who the signal caller is on Thursday night (likely Trevor Siemian), go ahead and keep starting Sanders.
Week 5 vs. Atlanta
Even with the change of QB to Paxton Lynch last week in the win at Tampa, Emmanuel Sanders posted another solid outing. On a team-leading 13 targets (11 of them from Lynch), he recorded eight catches, 88 yards and his third score in the past two contests. After a couple underperforming games to start the season, Emmanuel has 17 receptions the past two weeks and should continue to produce. Be sure to keep Sanders in your starting lineup.
Week 4 at Tampa Bay
After totaling just 88 yards in the first two weeks, Emmanuel Sanders went off against the Bengals last week. No. 10 was targeted a team-high 13 times, resulting in nine grabs, 117 yards and two TDs. Trevor Siemian threw for over 300 yards in the win. While the Buccaneers defense has had plenty of troubles this season, the Broncos will likely go back to a more balanced attack. Sanders should still remain in your starting lineup, however.
Week 3 at Cincinnati
For the second-straight game Emmanuel Sanders got off to a good start last week in the win over the Colts, but he finished with just three receptions for 39 yards. He was targeted a team-high eight times, however did not register a grab after the first quarter. In the first two games, Emmanuel has eight catches, but for only 88 yards and no scores. The Denver passing attack, while efficient, has not featured the deep ball, which is an important part of Sanders’ game. The Bengals defense has allowed an average of 219 passing yards in the first two contests, so you may want to be cautious about starting Emmanuel this week.
Week 2 vs. Indianapolis
In the win versus Carolina last Thursday, Emmanuel Sanders led the Broncos in targets (eight) and catches (five), totaling 49 yards. With Trevor Siemian only throwing for 178 yards against a good Panthers defense, neither Sanders nor Demaryius Thomas was able to post good fantasy stats. Even though Denver will look to move the ball on the ground again against a poor Indy D, keep starting Sanders as he’ll continue to receive looks from the young QB.
Week 1 vs. Carolina
After two great years in Denver with Peyton Manning, Emmanuel Sanders will now have to adjust as the Broncos pass control of their offense to new QB Trevor Siemian. Siemian showed good accuracy during the preseason, and there’s no reason to think Sanders won’t put up solid numbers this season. In Super Bowl 50 against the Panthers, Emmanuel led the Broncos with six receptions for 83 yards. Even with the new signal-caller, Sanders is a must-start this week.
Fantasy Upside
Heading in to a contract year, Emmanuel Sanders is coming off of a season in which he caught 76 passes for over 1,100 yards and six TDs. His two years with the Broncos have been the best of his career, totaling 177 grabs for over 2,500 yards and 15 scores. He seems to take a pounding on the field, but has missed just one game the past four years.
Fantasy Downside
Between Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiler last season, Emmanuel saw his reception total drop from 101 in ’14 to 76. The decline may continue this season, as Denver is expected to be a run-first, ball controlling offense, and will likely have more uncertainties at QB again.
Bottom Line
Even with Marc Sanchez or Trevor Siemian at QB for most of the season, Sanders is still at top-30 fantasy WR. He should finish near 1,000 yards and score at least six times. We project Emmanuel to be selected around the six or seventh round of your fantasy draft.
Super Bowl vs. Carolina
While fellow WR Demaryius Thomas caught only two passes against the Patriots in the AFC Championship game, Emmanuel Sanders led the team with five grabs for 62 yards. In the playoffs, No. 10 has been the better WR for Peyton Manning, catching 10 passes for 147 yards. Both Sanders and Thomas will need to post strong numbers in the Super Bowl against a Panthers D that was No. 11 in the NFL against the pass during the regular season.
AFC Championship vs. New England
Facing his former team in the Divisional Playoff round last Sunday, Emanuel Sanders led the Broncos with five grabs for 85 yards. While Sanders hasn’t reached the century mark in yards the past three contests, he’s been consistent, averaging 83 yards during that span. Sanders caught six passes for 113 yards from Brock Osweiler in the home win over New England in Week 12 and will need to post another big game for Denver if they are to advance.
Week 19 vs Pittsburgh
In the win over the Chargers two weeks ago, Emmanuel Sanders caught five passes for 99 yards. Once again he was over 1,100 receiving yards on the season and has a good rapport with Peyton Manning. With Brock Osweiler at QB in December against Pittsburgh, Sanders torched the Steelers for 181 yards and a score on 10 receptions. Be assured he would like nothing more than to knock off his former team in the playoffs.
