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 hands stands out most — the 93rd 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

2019 ScoutIndex Rating · WR

Methodology
58.9

78th percentile among WRs

17 games · 97 targets

Role×0.14+0.86
Hands×0.1+0.74
Volume×0.12+1.24
Total EPA×0.22+0.44
EPA/target×0.3-0.24
Yards/target×0.12+0.80

2019 attribute card

click a row to see the formula
AthleticismReceivingRoleImpact

group averages

Athleticism

Speed78▶

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.

Agility92▶

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

Size21▶

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

Receiving

Hands93▶

Catch rate — receptions ÷ targets.

Deep Threat31▶

Average depth of target — receiving air yards ÷ targets.

YAC Ability21▶

Yards after catch ÷ reception.

Role

Target Share79▶

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

Air-Yards Share89▶

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

Impact

Efficiency38▶

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

Volume87▶

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)

2019 splits

regular season
SplitGRecRec ydsRec TD
Home10
37
3.7/g
429
43/g
2
Away7
29
4.1/g
440
63/g
3
In division8
29
3.6/g
410
51/g
2
Out of division9
37
4.1/g
459
51/g
3
In wins9
30
3.3/g
437
49/g
3
In losses8
36
4.5/g
432
54/g
2
On grass15
56
3.7/g
687
46/g
4
On turf2
10
5.0/g
182
91/g
1
Indoors2
14
7.0/g
269
135/g
2
Outdoors15
52
3.5/g
600
40/g
3

2019 game log

WkOppLineScore
PostseasonMIN2 rec, 33 yds, 0 TD—
PostseasonGB——
PostseasonKC3 rec, 38 yds, 0 TD—
Week 1LV5 rec, 86 yds, 1 TD65.9
Week 2CHI11 rec, 98 yds, 1 TD59.6
Week 3GB2 rec, 10 yds, 0 TD28.6
Week 4JAX5 rec, 104 yds, 0 TD52.4
Week 5LAC1 rec, 9 yds, 0 TD46.9
Week 6TEN1 rec, 0 yds, 0 TD38.1
Week 7KC5 rec, 60 yds, 0 TD59.1
Week 8CAR4 rec, 25 yds, 1 TD60.3
Week 9ARI7 rec, 112 yds, 1 TD83
Week 10SEA2 rec, 24 yds, 0 TD49.7
Week 11ARI3 rec, 33 yds, 0 TD33.2
Week 12GB1 rec, 15 yds, 0 TD48.8
Week 13BAL4 rec, 41 yds, 0 TD59.4
Week 14NO35 pass yds, 1 TD, 0 INT · 7 rec, 157 yds, 1 TD77
Week 15ATL2 rec, 9 yds, 0 TD39.1
Week 16LAR3 rec, 61 yds, 0 TD32.6
Week 17SEA3 rec, 25 yds, 0 TD54.7

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