NFL Trade Rumors: 49ers Defy Odds, Sign Disgruntled WR Emmanuel Sanders

The San Francisco 49ers are fully aware that the current NFL season will only get tougher. One department they need to address is the wide receiver position. They have successfully addressed that need following the acquisition of Emmanuel Sanders from the Denver Broncos.

Aside from the 32-year-old wide receiver, the 49ers also got a couple of picks from the Broncos. That included a fifth-round pick in 2020. San Francisco sent their third and fourth picks to Denver, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

In a previous post, it was mentioned how the 49ers were looking into shore up the wide receiver position. Most teams are doing the same thing and Antonio Brown was mentioned as a possibility. However, Sanders turned out to be the man for head coach Kyle Shanahan. It turned out to be good timing since a rift was brewing, the Associated Press reported. Broncos general manager John Elway also confirmed that the one-time Super Bowl champion wanted out.

"He did. When we look at it, Emmanuel had issues and we had issues," Elway said. "So that's why it was a good time for us to go different directions. With that being said, we were able to get the value that we thought was fair and so that's why we decided to make the deal."

Already formidable at the receiving end, the coming of Sanders should be added boost. Before settling for the 82nd pick of the 2010 NFL Draft, San Francisco had its eye on Odell Beckham Jr.

Before latching on to the 49ers, the New England Patriots were betting favorites to acquire Sanders. However, the Pats ended up getting Mohamed Sanu. The 30-year-old player was rumored as an option for the 49ers as well. This was largely because he and Shanahan worked together when the latter was still the offensive coordinator for the Falcons.

Both teams return to action on Oct. 27. The 49ers face the Carolina Panthers at the Levi's Stadium starting at 4:05 p.m. ET. The Patriots also see action, taking on the Cleveland Browns at 7:25 p.m. EDT at the Gillette Stadium.