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 efficiency stands out most — the 99th 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

2014 ScoutIndex Rating · WR

Methodology
97

99th percentile among WRs

16 games · 141 targets

Role×0.14+1.36
Hands×0.1+2.52
Volume×0.12+1.88
Total EPA×0.22+3.50
EPA/target×0.3+2.72
Yards/target×0.12+2.40

2014 attribute card

click a row to see the formula
AthleticismReceivingRoleImpact

group averages

Athleticism

Speed75▶

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

Burst89▶

Percentile of vertical jump + broad jump among combine WRs.

Agility85▶

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

Size13▶

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

Receiving

Hands98▶

Catch rate — receptions ÷ targets.

Deep Threat82▶

Average depth of target — receiving air yards ÷ targets.

YAC Ability12▶

Yards after catch ÷ reception.

Role

Target Share88▶

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

Air-Yards Share93▶

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

Impact

Efficiency99▶

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

Volume95▶

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)

2014 splits

regular season
SplitGRecRec ydsRec TD
Home8
52
6.5/g
701
88/g
4
Away8
49
6.1/g
703
88/g
5
In division6
37
6.2/g
494
82/g
5
Out of division10
64
6.4/g
910
91/g
4
In wins12
69
5.8/g
932
78/g
6
In losses4
32
8.0/g
472
118/g
3
On grass11
66
6.0/g
894
81/g
6
On turf5
35
7.0/g
510
102/g
3
Indoors1
5
5.0/g
102
102/g
1
Outdoors15
96
6.4/g
1,302
87/g
8

2014 game log

WkOppLineScore
PostseasonIND7 rec, 46 yds, 0 TD—
Week 1IND11 rush yds, 0 TD · 6 rec, 77 yds, 0 TD58.7
Week 2KC-2 rush yds, 0 TD · 8 rec, 108 yds, 0 TD81.7
Week 3SEA11 rec, 149 yds, 0 TD86.4
Week 5ARI8 rush yds, 0 TD · 7 rec, 101 yds, 0 TD73.7
Week 6NYJ3 rec, 38 yds, 0 TD48.9
Week 7SF3 rec, 41 yds, 1 TD70.8
Week 8LAC6 rush yds, 0 TD · 9 rec, 120 yds, 3 TD92.7
Week 9NE10 rec, 151 yds, 0 TD60.8
Week 10LV5 rush yds, 0 TD · 5 rec, 67 yds, 2 TD58.4
Week 11LAR5 rec, 102 yds, 1 TD86.8
Week 12MIA3 rush yds, 0 TD · 9 rec, 125 yds, 0 TD81.8
Week 13KC6 rec, 73 yds, 0 TD64
Week 14BUF13 rush yds, 0 TD · 4 rec, 56 yds, 0 TD46.8
Week 15LAC3 rec, 53 yds, 0 TD73.5
Week 16CIN6 rec, 70 yds, 2 TD74.3
Week 17LV6 rec, 73 yds, 0 TD63.9

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