Will Broncos Trade Emmanuel Sanders at the 2018 Deadline?
- Prop bet offered that WR Emmanuel Sanders will remain a Denver Bronco through Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline
- The Denver media is reporting that Sanders is no longer on the trade block
- Sanders was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for Week 7 of the NFL schedule
If the Denver Broncos were in the mood to trade, who better to dangle than the reigning AFC Offensive Player of the Week? But the word in football circles is that the Broncos are no longer interested in moving wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, and the sportsbooks are backing up that intel to some extent.
WR @ESanders_10 is the AFC Offensive Player of the Week!
RT to join us in congratulating him!
📰 » https://t.co/TfXtBmzfQY pic.twitter.com/pB0HuI6qqG
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 24, 2018
Oddsmakers posted a prop bet regarding the team Sanders will be playing for after Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline and the Broncos have the best odds of any single team at +400, followed by the Eagles at +600. But the real favorite is the FIELD (i.e. all the teams that aren’t individually listed below).
Emmanuel Sanders’ Team After Oct. 30 NFL Trade Deadline
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Denver Broncos | +400 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | +600 |
| Washington Redskins | +600 |
| Carolina Panthers | +700 |
| Dallas Cowboys | +750 |
| New England Patriots | +1000 |
| Any Other Team | -300 |
Several teams had expressed interest in acquiring Sanders’ services, with the Philadelphia Eagles at the top of the list, looking to counter the Dallas Cowboys, who grabbed receiver Amari Cooper from the Oakland Raiders.
Sanders Would Be a Good Catch
A three-time 1,000-yard receiver with the Broncos and a two-time Pro Bowler, Sanders was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week after catching six balls for 102 yards and a touchdown and also throwing a 28-yard TD pass to Courtland Sutton in the Broncos’ 45-10 romp over Arizona.
.@ESanders_10 can flat out play football. …
AND HE CAN PASS! 😂 https://t.co/OuSKUHZ45a
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 25, 2018
For the season, Sanders has 46 catches for 603 yards and three TDs, including 100-yard performances in consecutive games. For his career, the 31-year-old has 510 catches for 6,759 yards and 36 touchdowns in nine seasons.
Sanders was the first Bronco to catch and throw a TD pass in the same game since John Elway in 1986.
But it’s not just his numbers on the field that make Sanders attractive trade bait. The numbers on his contract are another incentive. He has just one year left on his deal at $12,937,500. If he were to be picked up at the trade deadline, his new team would owe Sanders $6,152,343 for the remainder of the 2018 season.
Thomas Now The Target?
The Broncos have also gauged interest in fellow receiver Demaryius Thomas. Reports indicate that he is also unlikely to be traded, though there’s definitely a chance.
His role in the Denver offense has been usurped by rookie Sutton, and Thomas has just 372 receiving yards this season. Dealing Thomas would clear $8.5 million in salary-cap space.
Sunday Could Change Everything
The 3-4 Broncos are at Kansas City Sunday to face the 6-1 AFC-leading Chiefs. A loss there and Denver’s hopes for a division title are gone. Their Wild Card chances would also grow more remote.
"This is a season-changing game." – @ChrisHarrisJr
📰 » https://t.co/WwLnzo6w4z#BeatTheChiefs pic.twitter.com/f1xrTH45Ss
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 25, 2018
Might that change their gameplan in terms of the trade deadline? Probably not. It still seems like a longshot that Sanders could be moved, which means the value bet on Sanders is the incumbent Broncos at +400.
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
