Mohamed Sanu will be entering free agency in 2016 as the Cincinnati Bengals will likely see both of their backup wide receivers, Sanu and Marvin Jones, hit free agency.
The Bengals have their star wide receiver in A.J. Green, so they could just look to draft or add replacements in free agency. This has teams treating Sanu and Jones like free agent stars. The Atlanta Falcons are looking to build up their roster with some quality players, and they may start by adding Sanu as a replacement for Roddy White. Sanu, even though he only started in three games in 2015, still proved to be more versatile and effective than White. White will be 35 this season, and the former explosive playmaker is a shell of his former self as his productivity continues to decrease. Sanu on the other hand is only 26 and has spent the last five seasons learning the ins and outs of the NFL.
With Green going down in 2014 Sanu was thrust into a starting role and was forced to be a wide receiver, one facing coverage from some of the best cornerbacks in the league. In 2014 he recorded 13 starts, 56 receptions, 790 yards, 14.1 yards per reception and 5 touchdowns. That type of production is a solid indicator on where a receiver's ceiling is. During the 2015 season with Green back and Jones playing a bigger role Sanu only posted a modest stat line. In 2015 Sanu recorded four starts, 33 receptions and 394 yards, 11.9 yards per reception, 2 rushing touchdowns and 7.1 yards per carry.
Sanu has already seen prominent interest as free agency approaches. It is being reported that the Cleveland Browns, New York Giants and Falcons will all attempt to land Sanu during the 2016 free agency period. The Browns could use Sanu's playmaking abilities to help jump-start their passing offense as they will likely have a brand new franchise quarterback. The Giants could use Sanu to replace Rueben Randle as he is likely to leave in free agency. Randle was not nearly as consistent toward the end of his Giants career and failed to carve out a bigger role for himself. Sanu would be a dramatic upgrade and could see similar production to Dwayne Harris in his first season with the team.
