SANTA CLARA — Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders is joining the 49ers via a Tuesday trade with the Broncos, Denver’s 9News first reported.
It’s apparently costing the 49ers plenty of 2020 draft capital — third- and fourth-round picks — to obtain the 32-year-old wide receiver, plus a fifth-round draft pick.
Sanders, a 10th-year veteran, is less than a year removed from an Achilles tear, but, two months ago, the 49ers saw first-hand how well he’s recovered as he made athletic catches against them in August’s joint practices in Denver.
The 49ers (6-0) have won with defense and a run-oriented approach, while they’ve totaled only 49 catches from their wide receivers and otherwise relied on tight end George Kittle (34 catches, 376 yards)
Sanders had 30 receptions for 367 yards and two touchdowns this year for the Broncos, whose scheme should draw some parallels to the 49ers’ considering their offensive coordinator is Rich Scangarello, the 49ers’ 2017-18 quarterbacks coach.