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NFL free agency 2020: Best wide receivers available

By William Schneiderhan

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 31: Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders #17 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the football after a reception against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on October 31, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 31: Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders #17 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the football after a reception against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on October 31, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 11: San Francisco 49ers Wide Receiver Emmanuel Sanders (17) works out before the NFC Divisional Playoff game between the Minnesota Vikings and the San Francisco 49ers on January 11, 2020, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 11: San Francisco 49ers Wide Receiver Emmanuel Sanders (17) works out before the NFC Divisional Playoff game between the Minnesota Vikings and the San Francisco 49ers on January 11, 2020, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. Emmanuel Sanders

The eldest player on this list is Emmanuel Sanders. The 32-year-old has played 10 years in the NFL and has been on winning teams throughout that time.

Sanders has played in 11 playoff games, including three Super Bowls. He’s never really been a bystander who was along for the ride on any of those teams either. Constantly a big part of contending teams is a nice headliner for your free-agent resume.

In an era with a lot of top receiving talent, Sanders has been very underrated. Of course, coming up and being overshadowed by Antonio Brown will do that.

Sanders had a stretch of three consecutive seasons with 1,000+ receiving yards, 75+ receptions and 5+ touchdowns from 2014-16. In 2017, he appeared to have slowed down, but he backed that year up with consecutive 860+ yard seasons in ’18 and ’19.

So far, the list has featured more big-play receivers. Sanders is not particularly just that. Rather, he is a volume receiver who is known more for his possession skills. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t get down field and make plays though.

Sanders has been able to play in multiple systems with many quarterbacks. Finding a home won’t be hard for him, and he can charge a steady price too.

This was the final year of the former third-round pick’s three-year, $33 million extension he signed with the Denver Broncos in 2016. Spotrac.com has his market value set at a yearly salary of $10 million.

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