Mohammed Sanu has seen his production with the Cincinnati Bengals starting to go down the past couple of seasons and the rumors began to circulate this past season that Sanu wanted to go to another team that would have a bigger role in mind for him. According to ESPN, Mohammed is set to sign a $32.5 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons, a team which is looking to upgrade its second wide receiver role.
For as long as quarterback Matt Ryan has been with the Falcons, he’s had one of the best wide receiver duos in the NFL, with the likes of Julio Jones and Roddy White. However, after the Falcons hired Kyle Shanahan to be their new offensive coordinator in 2015, friction between Shanahan and White escalated during the season, leaving Atlanta in a tough spot, but with the former first-round pick in the 2005 NFL Draft declining in production, they decided to let White leave via free agency.
The Falcons still have what many NFL insiders consider the best wide receiver in the league, who in 2015, caught 136 receptions for 1,871 yards while hauling in eight touchdowns. Now when you have a No. 1 wide receiver like Jones who has that kind of production year in and year out, then the other receivers might not have to do much except reap the benefits. Sanu doesn’t have to try to be like Julio Jones (most receivers couldn’t), he just needs to be a viable option for Matt Ryan.
Mohammed Sanu, a former Rutgers star, is well known for his versatility. Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan should be able to provide plenty of options for Sanu to showcase his ability. He can line up Suno on the outside or he could line him up in the slot. Shanahan could even put Suno in the Wild Cat formation considering Suno has thrown two touchdown passes with the Bengals.
For the first two seasons of the contract, $14 million of the $32.5 million is guaranteed. Sanu also received a $7 million signing bonus. With Mohammed only on the books for $1 million this season, it allows the Falcons to spend on other needs they need to fill this season. Sanu also has $1.25 million in incentives during the final three years of his contract.
Mohammed Sanu played four years with the Bengals after they drafted him in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft. During his four seasons with Cincinnati, Suno had 152 catches for 1,793 yards with 11 touchdowns.
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