Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver set to move to Patriots in exchange for a third round pick.
The New England Patriots have submitted an offer sheet to acquire restricted free agent Emmanuel Sanders from the Pittsburgh Steelers in return for a third round draft pick.
The Patriots are already low on draft picks this season. The gave up a fourth round pick to acquire Aqib Talib from Tampa Bay, a sixth round pick in the trade for Chad Ochocinco and finally a fifth round pick for Albert Haynesworth.
By giving up this pick, the team would have just four in the upcoming draft, which wold seriously restrict the team in it’s progression as a franchise.
The fact that they have only offered Sanders a one-year deal too also raises questions as to why the team have not decided to draft a receiver instead, who would be signed to a longer and cheaper deal.
A clean route-runner and displaying great speed on the outside, Sanders may be the missing link that New England are looking for as a serious upgrade at wide receiver.
The Patriots must feel that they are in a win-now situation, and believe the 26-year old is the missing piece to the puzzle on the offensive side of the ball.
Bill Belichick is the smartest coach in the league, and regularly hits the jackpot in these kind of moves, so don’t be surprised if Brady and Sanders form an explosive partnership.
If the Patriots do win the Super Bowl, then this is will be deemed as a superb move, if not, then the growth of a consistently lacklustre receiving corps will once again be stunted.
COMMENTS