Analysis: Sanders to slot could make Denver Broncos deadlier

Yesterday, Emmanuel Sanders announced he’ll be moving to the slot in three-receiver sets for the Denver Broncos.

Of course, it comes as no surprise the void is present with Wes Welker no longer being part of the squad. At his height in Denver, Welker helped make the Broncos’ offense the highest-scoring, first down machine it grew into in 2013. He was Peyton Manning’s go-to guy on third downs that season but was unable to contribute that same effective pass-catching ability in 2014 due to a mounting number of concussions.

So Sanders, who blossomed in 2014 with Manning slinging him the pigskin, will now move from No. 2 guy on the outside to the inside, slot receiver spot. “I’m very comfortable in doing that because I played in the slot at Pittsburgh and a lot in college so I’m looking forward to that,” said Sanders in his press conference.

It must be noted that Sanders was a solid slot man with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but his breakout season came with Manning and being on the outside. The fifth-year receiver obliterated his previous bests for receptions (101-67), yards (1,404-740) and touchdowns (9-6); can he continue to put up those type of numbers in the slot?

The answer’s not simple. Partly because Sanders is on a meteoric rise in terms of production. Save a sophomore slump, he’s improved in every major receiving category with each passing season. Simply, in the slot, Sanders will catch more passes, especially the crucial, third down receptions needed to move the chains. In those instances, he won’t be able to catch the bomb on the outside. But he’ll still have plenty of opportunity to do that in two-receiver sets, which are common in Gary Kubiak’s offense.

It can’t be missed here that Kubiak will want to run the rock more than Adam Gase’s “throw some mo’” O of yesteryear. So Sanders’ numbers may take a dip due to that fact. We’ll have to wait and see.

When the Broncos do go to three wideouts, look for second-year stud Cody Latimer to step into that role. John Elway and Co. are ready to see what the second round draft pick from 2014 can do given his opportunity, and the young man certainly shone last preseason.

Demaryius Thomas, Sanders and Latimer is a formidable trio of receivers that should allow Denver’s offense to dismantle defenses once again. The three of them together only gives more talented personnel for Peyton to play with on the field at one time.