ScoutIndex

BUF BUF

Emmanuel Sanders

WR

A 3rd-round pick (82nd overall) in the 2010 NFL Draft out of SMU, Emmanuel Sanders has built an NFL career since. He last played in 2021 with BUF, a career spanning 12 NFL seasons. His 63.4 ScoutIndex Rating last season ranked in the 84th percentile among WRs — solidly above average. His deep threat stands out most — the 98th percentile at the position. Across 12 NFL seasons, he has totaled 704 catches for 9,245 yards and 51 touchdowns.

Size

5'11", 180#

College

SMU

Draft

Rd 3, 82nd overall (2010)

Seasons

2010–2021

2021 ScoutIndex Rating · WR

Methodology
63.4

84th percentile among WRs

14 games · 72 targets

Role×0.14+0.04
Hands×0.1+1.05
Volume×0.12+0.68
Total EPA×0.22+0.85
EPA/target×0.3+0.79
Yards/target×0.12+0.76

2021 attribute card

click a row to see the formula
AthleticismReceivingRoleImpact

group averages

Athleticism

Speed73▶

Percentile of 40-yard dash time among WRs at the NFL Combine (faster = higher), 2000–present.

Burst84▶

Percentile of vertical jump + broad jump among combine WRs.

Agility90▶

Percentile of 3-cone + short shuttle among combine WRs (faster = higher).

Size19▶

Height/weight z-score vs. the WR cohort (from official bio, not combine-dependent).

Receiving

Hands22▶

Catch rate — receptions ÷ targets.

Deep Threat98▶

Average depth of target — receiving air yards ÷ targets.

YAC Ability1▶

Yards after catch ÷ reception.

Role

Target Share57▶

Share of the team's targets while on the field, target-weighted across the season.

Air-Yards Share79▶

Share of the team's total air yards, target-weighted across the season.

Impact

Efficiency83▶

Receiving EPA ÷ target — the Rating's largest component.

Volume80▶

Total targets this season.

Career (regular season)

SeasonTmSIGPass ydsPass TDRush ydsRush TDRecRec ydsRec TD
2021BUF63.41431426264
2020NO65.81412617265
2019SF58.917351668695
2018DEN58.912281531718684
2017DEN51.612475552
2016DEN601547910325
2015DEN68.715297611356
2014DEN97164410114049
2013PIT49.41625677406
2012PIT58.7164446261
2011PIT46.21115222882
2010PIT55.313283762

Career profile

Across 12 NFL seasons on file, Emmanuel Sanders has played in 171 regular-season games, playing for 5 teams: PIT (2010–2013), DEN (2014–2018), SF (2019), NO (2020), BUF (2021).

As a passer he has thrown for 78 yards and 2 touchdowns with 0 interceptions. He has rushed for 202 yards and 1 touchdown. As a receiver he has caught 704 passes for 9,245 yards and 51 touchdowns. His most productive receiving season was 2014 with DEN: 1,404 yards and 9 touchdowns in 16 games.

By the ScoutIndex Rating, his best qualified season was 2014: a 97.0, in the 99th percentile among WRs that year.

Career highs (regular season)

2021 splits

regular season
SplitGRecRec ydsRec TD
Home6
20
3.3/g
268
45/g
2
Away8
22
2.8/g
358
45/g
2
In division5
9
1.8/g
117
23/g
0
Out of division9
33
3.7/g
509
57/g
4
In wins8
22
2.8/g
345
43/g
4
In losses6
20
3.3/g
281
47/g
0
On grass5
15
3.0/g
283
57/g
2
On turf9
27
3.0/g
343
38/g
2
Indoors1
3
3.0/g
28
28/g
0
Outdoors13
39
3.0/g
598
46/g
4

2021 game log

WkOppLineScore
PostseasonNE2 rec, 36 yds, 1 TD—
PostseasonKC1 rec, 16 yds, 0 TD—
Week 1PIT4 rec, 52 yds, 0 TD52.4
Week 2MIA2 rec, 48 yds, 0 TD52.6
Week 3WAS5 rec, 94 yds, 2 TD83.3
Week 4HOU7 rush yds, 0 TD · 5 rec, 74 yds, 0 TD66.8
Week 5KC3 rec, 54 yds, 2 TD67.3
Week 6TEN5 rec, 91 yds, 0 TD64.1
Week 8MIA—32.1
Week 9JAX4 rec, 65 yds, 0 TD62.3
Week 10NYJ24 rush yds, 0 TD · 2 rec, 27 yds, 0 TD56.6
Week 11IND3 rec, 26 yds, 0 TD33
Week 12NO3 rec, 28 yds, 0 TD58.2
Week 13NE3 rec, 22 yds, 0 TD39.6
Week 14TB1 rec, 25 yds, 0 TD51.6
Week 16NE2 rec, 20 yds, 0 TD32.8

Emmanuel Sanders — common questions

What position does Emmanuel Sanders play?
Emmanuel Sanders is listed as a WR.
Which teams has Emmanuel Sanders played for?
In the seasons on file (1999 onward), Emmanuel Sanders has played for PIT (2010–2013), DEN (2014–2018), SF (2019), NO (2020), BUF (2021).
Where did Emmanuel Sanders go to college?
Emmanuel Sanders played college football at SMU.
When was Emmanuel Sanders drafted?
Emmanuel Sanders was selected in round 3, 82nd overall, of the 2010 NFL Draft.
How many touchdowns has Emmanuel Sanders scored?
Emmanuel Sanders has 54 touchdowns in the regular-season games on file (2 passing, 1 rushing, 51 receiving).
What is Emmanuel Sanders's ScoutIndex Rating?
Emmanuel Sanders rated 63.4 for 2021, the 84th percentile among WRs. Ratings run 0–99; about 60 is a league-average qualified starter.

Related players

Top teammates, last season on file

Drafted in round 3, 2010

Also from SMU