‘More desirable’ for Broncos to keep DT, Sanders, says former GM
Feb 15, 2018, 12:00 AM | Updated: 8:22 am
Among the offseason scenarios for the Denver Broncos posited in recent weeks is the team moving on from one or both Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas.
Earlier this week, “Schlereth and Evans” co-host Mark Schlereth called Thomas and Sanders “anchors” on the Broncos salary cap, with both combining to be the highest-paid wide receiver duo in the NFL.
On Wednesday, however, former general manager and current NFL Network analyst Charley Casserly told “Stokley and Zach” it’d be “more desirable” for Denver to actually keep both receivers, especially in making a run at soon-to-be-free agent quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Casserly pointed to the Broncos quarterback play, especially in 2017, as the culprit as to why Sanders and Thomas had statistically down seasons.
“I don’t think translating to wins has anything to do with the receivers,” Casserly said. “Thomas did not have a good year. I think people still feel Sanders is a good player when they play him.”
Last season, Sanders had the worst statistical season during his four years in Denver while Thomas had his lowest production since becoming a full-time starter in 2012.
Thomas averaged just 5.2 receptions and 59.3 yards per game, bringing in 83 receptions for 949 yards and five touchdowns, while Sanders caught just 47 passes in 12 games for 555 yards and two touchdowns. Pro Football Focus graded the duo as the 64th (Sanders) and 46th (Thomas) ranked wide receivers in the NFL in 2017.
However, using a rotation of three quarterbacks — Trevor Siemian, Brock Osweiler, and Paxton Lynch — twice in 2017, Denver ranked 31st in the NFL in terms of quarterback rating (73.0), only besting the Cleveland Browns at 61.4.
“It had to do with the quarterback position,” Casserly said. “The quarterback position was below a playoff level the last two years, especially this year.”
“Again, if you can figure out getting Thomas back to his best football, and I have confidence in Sanders, then all of a sudden your offensive, with a quarterback, looks a lot different.”
Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.
