The 49ers Should Be Embarrassed They Let the Saints Sign Emmanuel Sanders to Such a Favorable Contract

The San Francisco 49ers made a splash and acquired the No. 13 overall pick in a trade with the Colts that sent DeForest Buckner to Indianapolis, putting them in prime position to select a receiver at that spot. But why couldn't they re-sign Emmanuel Sanders and address another area of need with that first-rounder?

Many Niners fans may be asking themselves that question after the 33-year-old receiver landed with the New Orleans Saints on an incredibly favorable contract.

Former 49ers’ WR Emmanuel Sanders reached agreement on a two-year, $16 milloon deal with worth up to $19 million the New Orleans Saints, per source. https://t.co/01akLF17C3
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 21, 2020

It's not like the 49ers didn't have any cap space, either! They still have almost $17 million to work with and it's as clear as ever they need a game-breaking wideout alongside Deebo Samuel to make things work for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

While it's understandable San Fran may have been hesitant to due Sanders' age, the man hasn't lost a step and proved that in his short stint with the team. He would need to experience a considerable and likely unprecedented decline for this deal to blow up in their face.

Emmanuel Sanders had appealing NFC options. Sanders spoke with the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers, but preferred to wind up with the New Orleans Saints, where he land d a two-year, $16 million deal worth up to $19 million.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 21, 2020

There's no doubt the 49ers would have had good leverage too. They just went to the Super Bowl and were a fourth-quarter collapse away from winning it all. Why wouldn't he want to return to a team that seamlessly fit him into the offense and made a run like that?

Perhaps he'll reveal some insight there in the coming days/weeks, but on the surface at the moment, the 49ers should be kicking themselves for not retaining Sanders at this price tag.