Denver Broncos general manager John Elway said he expects to keep Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders on the roster for 2018…
There was a possibility that the Broncos would lose one of their top two wide receivers, Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, due to salary cap reasons when the new league year begins. General manager John Elway addressed the media on Wednesday at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine regarding the playmakers: “The plan is to bring them back.”
Thomas had his worst season statistically since 2011. He caught 83 passes for 949 yards and five touchdowns. In comparison, he had over 1,000 receiving yards in every season between 2012-2016.
Sanders also had his worst year since 2011. In 2017, he caught 47 passes for 555 yards and two touchdowns. Their best seasons were, of course, with NFL great Peyton Manning throwing them the ball for most of their time as a Bronco.
Pres. of Football Ops/GM John Elway on WRs @DemaryiusT & @ESanders_10:
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) February 28, 2018
"The plan is to have them back."
📰 » https://t.co/6gBCUCQbs0 pic.twitter.com/b04XwwSyer
In the event that Thomas or Sanders leave Denver, the receivers that currently would replace them are Bennie Fowler or Cody Latimer, who will be a free agent with a chance of coming back. It seems likely that the team will bring in another player to fill the void, whether that be through free agency or April’s draft.
Some receivers that could be options to replace Thomas or Sanders are free agents Paul Richardson (SEA), Kendall Wright (CHI), and Donte Moncrief (IND). However, I think the void will be filled in April, at the draft. Denver has a lot of ammo to do something bold, with ten draft picks right now:
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Round 1: 5th overall
Round 2: 40th overall
Round 3: 71st overall
Round 3: 99th overall (compensatory)
Round 4: 106th overall
Round 4: 109th or 110th overall (via 49ers)
Round 5: 142nd overall
Round 5: 163rd overall (via Falcons)
Round 6: 182nd overall
Round 7: 225th overall
Could we see a blockbuster trade on draft day? We will see.
Denver’s quarterback position is rocky right now, so the team should fill that spot before pursuing a wide receiver, giving the pass catchers more reason to join the Super Bowl 50 champions.
The team is hoping to trade Trevor Siemian, and Brock Osweiler will be a free agent. Paxton Lynch will be back, but it seems likely that he will be the backup to whomever the team brings in.
The 2018 NFL Draft starts Thursday, April 26 and runs through Saturday, April 28.