Atlanta Falcons: Mohamed Sanu signs five-year deal, per reports
Mohamed Sanu is on his way to the Atlanta Falcons.
The Atlanta Falcons got their man at wide receiver with Mohamed Sanu signing a five-year deal, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Falcons agreed to terms with former Bengals WR Mohammad Sanu on a five-year deal, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 10, 2016
Sanu will become the Falcons’ No. 2 option at wide receiver after Roddy White was released last week. Matt Ryan needed another target outside of Julio Jones, and now he has the 6-foot-2 Sanu to play on the outside.
Can Sanu make the step up to be a No. 2 receiver? That’s going to be the biggest question. He’s been nothing more than a bit-part player in Cincinnati. Last season, he caught 33 passes for 394 yards without a touchdown. His best numbers came in 2014, hauling in 56 passes for 760 yards and five touchdowns.
Sanu’s deal is five years long and worth $32.5 million with $14 million fully guaranteed. That does seem like an awful lot of money for a player essentially unproven as a No. 2 wideout. The Falcons will now need to find a way of paying a linebacker.
Mohamed Sanu had 0.98 yards per route run in 2015; 5th lowest among WRs. The lowest was Roddy White at 0.86.
— Nathan Jahnke (@PFF_NateJahnke) March 10, 2016
The good news is Atlanta is close to being set on offense. Alex Mack gave the unit a major upgrade along the offensive line, and Sanu’s signing means the receiving corps is ready. Between Julio Jones, Sanu and second-year Justin Hardy, Matt Ryan should have enough at the position to work with. At least, as much as he’s going to get this offseason.
An upgrade at tight end would be nice, but unlikely. Jacob Tamme did well enough in the role to be trusted next term. The draft class is thin and it’s hard to see the Falcons paying a tight end in free agency given the going rate so far this offseason.
Jones and Devonta Freeman are the stars of the show, and Sanu and Hardy will be able to play complementary roles. Mack’s arrival will give a big boost in the trenches.
The Falcons were always going to make a move for a wideout in free agency. With Marvin Jones and Travis Benjamin gone, it was time for Sanu in Atlanta.
Thoughts?
Next: Atlanta Falcons 2016 free agency tracker
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