The San Francisco have traded for 32-year-old Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, according to Mike Klis of 9News in the Denver area. The 49ers sent third- and fourth-round picks to the Broncos in exchange for Sanders and Denver's fifth-round pick, per the report.
Emmanuel Sanders has to be traded to SF with 5th round pick in exchange for third and fourth round pick. Elway gets great value. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) October 22, 2019
The 10-year veteran and two-time Pro Bowl selection instantly becomes the 49ers' most-experienced receiver.
The trade leaves San Francisco without second-, third-, or fourth-round picks in the 2020 draft. However, with the team 6-0, the Niners were looking to boost their receiver group for a playoff run.
The 49ers were reportedly interested in Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Mohamed Sanu, who was traded to the New England Patriots early on Tuesday in exchange for a second-round pick. San Francisco was without a second-round pick after trading for defensive end Dee Ford in March.
The 49ers and Patriots were the last two teams involved in talks with Atlanta for WR Mohamed Sanu, per multiple sources. So the latter got him, and the former landed Emmanuel Sanders.
(Kyle Shanahan coached Sanu in Atlanta.)
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) October 22, 2019
Both Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports and NFL insider Benjamin Allbright expected San Francisco to go after Sanders following the Sanu-to-Patriots news.
"Emmanuel, to me, has been one of the most underrated receivers in the league his entire career," 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said last year before a game against the Broncos. "I think he's been a No. 1 receiver since he's been in Denver. It doesn't change how I view him at all. I think the more stats he gets and stuff, the more he gets the recognition he deserves.
"Emmanuel is the man. He's always been the man. He is extremely quick, he knows how to separate, he can beat man coverage, and he's also fearless. He's aggressive with the ball, he doesn't mind going there and blocking, he doesn't mind going over the middle, and he's one of the tougher challenges in the league."
The Pittsburgh Steelers made Sanders a third-round selection out of SMU in 2010. He has registered 30 receptions for 367 yards with two touchdowns through seven starts with the Broncos this season.
Sanders has caught 565 passes for 7,391 yards with 39 touchdowns through his 10 NFL seasons.
Update: The 49ers officially announced the trade later on Tuesday, and general manager John Lynch said the following via a statement issued to the media.
"Emmanuel is a passionate football player whose toughness and competitive nature have helped him become a dynamic playmaker in this league. He possesses a number of qualities, on and off the field, that we value in our players. His familiarity in a similar offensive system will allow for a quick transition. We are excited to add Emmanuel to our roster and look forward to seeing him positively impact our team."