Examining why the Packers should sign two-time Pro Bowl WR Emmanuel Sanders

Veteran experience can be a very underrated part of any successful NFL team. Especially when that experience comes in the form of a Super Bowl winner who has played receiver in the National Football League for 12 years. Longtime pass-catcher Emmanuel Sanders is still sitting out on the free-agent market. With the losses of All-Pro receiver Davante Adams and speedster Marquez Valdes-Scantling, the Green Bay Packers will be looking to get quarterback Aaron Rodgers all the help they can in an effort to produce a lethal offensive attack. Sanders could be just the addition the Packers need to put them over the top.

Although he turned 35 this March, Sanders has been incredibly productive throughout his whole career. The two-time Pro Bowl selection has recorded at least 60 receptions or 600 receiving yards in nine of his 12 career seasons. He has recorded an average of at least 12 yards-per-reception in nine of his 12 career seasons too. The former SMU Mustang has also participated in three Super Bowls with a victory coming in Super Bowl LI (50) with the Denver Broncos. His best season came in 2014 when he caught 101 catches for 1,404 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in Denver. Throughout his career, he has caught passes from the likes of Ben Roethlisberger, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and most recently, Josh Allen. That's a pretty good group right there. What if Rodgers were added to that list? 

Sanders would bring even more experience to a Green Bay receiver core that has a good group of veterans (Randall Cobb, Sammy Watkins, Allen Lazard). Three new receivers were also introduced to the team after April's draft (Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Samori Toure). Bringing in a veteran like Sanders would help round this unit into form and make it even more dangerous. His route-running and deep-ball tracking would add a completely new element to head coach Matt LaFleur's offense. A one-year deal has little risk. Green Bay has roughly $17M in cap space. It would be a great, "win-now" move before training camp gets under way.