Emmanuel Sanders makes sense for the Ravens

With free agency only a week away, more and more players are being released as teams around the league desperately try to find cap space. One such player is WR Emmanuel Sanders, who the Saints cut ties with on Wednesday afternoon.

In New Orleans last season, Sanders caught 61 passes for 726 yards and five touchdowns, even with starting QB Drew Brees missing several games. The year before that, Sanders played an integral role in helping the 49ers reach the Super Bowl after being traded from the Broncos. Sanders now hits the open market at 34-years old.

Even though he isn’t a true No. 1 wide receiver in his prime like many fans want, Sanders is still a solid and reliable piece to add to any roster in need of pass catchers. Throughout his career, Sanders has demonstrated the ability to both play from the slot and the outside as well. Furthermore, since he was released, Sanders will not count against the compensatory pick formula, which is something the Ravens take very seriously, possibly more than any team in the NFL.

At his age, Sanders would surely be a cheaper option than the likes of Corey Davis, Curtis Samuel, Will Fuller, and JuJu Smith-Schuster.

With Willie Snead IV and Dez Bryant both slated to hit free agency, Baltimore could use some veteran experience at the position. If the Ravens do opt to go with a cheaper veteran in free agency, however, then hopefully they will take a wide receiver early in the upcoming draft to continue to fill the position with young talent to grow alongside QB Lamar Jackson.