Fansided

NFL mock draft: Don’t mess with Texas

By Brad Weiss

Jan 1, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) passes against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) passes against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 27, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) runs through the tackle of Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Phillip Gaines (23) in the fourth quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) runs through the tackle of Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Phillip Gaines (23) in the fourth quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
9

Emmanuel Sanders

Wide Receiver, Bellville, Texas

The Detroit Lions surprised everyone by making the playoffs in 2016, as Matthew Stafford enjoyed one of the best seasons  of his career. However, the team took a step back in 2017, failing to make the playoffs in a very tough NFC North Division. With the No. 9 overall pick,  the Lions bolstered their wide receiver corps, bringing in Emmanuel Sanders from the Denver Broncos.

A Super Bowl Champion, Sanders brings a wealth of experience to the Lions. Prior to the 2016 NFL season, the Lions lost star wide receiver Calvin Johnson to retirement, leaving a gaping hole at the No. 1 WR spot in the depth chart. Sanders will fill that role with the Lions, giving Stafford arguably his best weapon since Johnson at the position.

Sanders will join Golden Tate and Marvin Jones at wide receiver, which will allow Stafford to likely eclipse the 5,000 yard mark in 2018. With the Green Bay Packers being loaded, and the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings getting better, the Lions need to make sure they keep giving Stafford weapons to work with. Sanders is definitely the kind of deep threat Stafford loves to target, and has that big-play ability that you just cannot teach.

Lions fans will head into 2018 with added hope thanks to the arrival of Sanders, who may go over 1,000 yards receiving in this offense. There is still question marks at running back, but with an improved defensive front, and good rookie seasons from Jalen Tabor and Jarrod Davis, this is a Lions team that will be much improved in 2018.

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