Report: Broncos Will Sign WR Emmanuel Sanders

Dec 8, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (88) returns a kick-off against the Miami Dolphins during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Miami Dolphins won 34-28. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Broncos have apparently made another big splash in free agency, agreeing to terms with former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, per reports.

Adam Schefter of ESPN first reported the news, and then everyone else followed suit. According to Mike Klis of the Denver Post, Sanders is scheduled to visit Denver on Sunday. FOX Sports’ Alex Marvez supported the reports:

Perhaps even sweeter for Broncos fans is the fact that John Elway has stolen Sanders from division rival Kansas City, who may or may not be one of the teams ‘crying foul’ over this whole situation. Allegedly, Sanders had a deal in principle agreed to with Kansas City and then his agent shopped him around anyway.

As far as the football ramifications of this move, I think Sanders is a good fit for the Broncos. He could replace Trindon Holliday as the punt/kick returner if the Broncos want, or he can simply be the new #2 wide receiver in the Peyton Manning-led offense.

It seems a bit bizarre to me that that would be a tough sell for a prospective free agent receiver, but the receiver market had actually thinned out a bit up to this point.

The Broncos were expected to set their sights on receiver, but like the Aqib Talib move, no one really saw Sanders as a legitimate option. He had drawn interest from teams like the Chiefs and 49ers, was making visits, and like the reports indicate, he seemed to be closing in on a new deal.

According to Klis at the DP, Sanders was the Broncos’ #1 free agent receiver option and to snag him would be a huge coup at this point, and would allow them to fill the other spot or two at WR through the draft.