Why The Packers Should Target Emmanuel Sanders

Davante Adams missed four games with a toe injury last season, but he still led the Packers in catches (83), targets (127), and receiving yards (997) by a significant margin. Running backs Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams were second and third in catches (49 and 39 respectively), with tight end Jimmy Graham coming in fourth with 38 receptions.

With others failing to step up, Allen Lazard got some opportunities and flashed some potential on his way to more catches and yards than both Geronimo Allison and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Lazard has a place on the Packers’ roster going forward, but at least for next season he would ideally not have to be counted on to be the No. 2 wide receiver. Allison is headed for free agency, and Valdes-Scantling is hardly guaranteed a spot on the 53-man roster.

The Packers have $23.7 million in cap space right now, with the ability to clear another $8 million (with $3.66 million in dead money) if they release Graham. So they won’t be diving into the deep end of the free agency pool quite the way they did last offseason on the defensive side of the ball, but a multi-year deal for Sanders looks palatable and he’s just the kind of proven, reliable veteran wide receiver they need to find to team with Adams.