2019 NFL trade deadline retrospective: Win-now vs. rebuild
By Ian Higgins
Emmanuel Sanders to the San Francisco 49ers
Denver receiver: 2020 3rd & 4th round pick
San Francisco receives: Sanders & 2020 5th round pick
San Francisco has emerged as the front-runner for the NFC title, trailed closely by Green Bay, New Orleans, and others.
A downturn in production from Marquise Goodwin has hampered offensive production in the Bay but has been camouflaged by George Kittle and Tevin Coleman. Emmanuel Sanders is an explosive threat on the outside with a great feel for route-running, giving Jimmy Garoppolo a new toy on the outside.
Denver looks to retool with a minor rebuild, building on a still talented defense and a strong running backs group led by Phillip Lindsay. Joe Flacco is not the answer as many suspected but is backed up by promising rookie Drew Lock.
Two mid-round selections provide a stable of draft capital to give Elway a chance at revamping his struggling offense.
Similar to the Sanu trade, a struggling organization gives away a top receiving talent in exchange for future assets to match its growth curve. A current loss for Denver that can parlay into something more.