Broncos pick up contract options for Emmanuel Sanders, Chris Harris Jr.

As expected, the Broncos have announced they will pick up the option for both Emmanuel Sanders and Chris Harris Jr.

These moves were expected as John Elway had indicated weeks ago.

The Broncos pick up the $1.5 million option for Sanders’ $10.25 million paycheck, as well as the $1 million option for Harris Jr.’s $7.9 million salary.

There had been some speculation about Sanders as the offseason approached since the veteran wideout had been rehabbing a torn Achilles since December and was heading into the final year of his contract.

But John Elway noted in his NFL Combine presser that the Broncos were planning to bring Sanders back - probably because Elway realized what everyone else noticed last season too - as good as Courtland Sutton and DaeSean Hamilton will be, the offense needed a veteran wide receiver, especially the third-down clutch receiver that Sanders has been again and again.

And as far as Sanders’ rehab on the Achilles injury goes, No. 10 says he is ahead of schedule.

Harris Jr. was another key keeper for Elway, especially now that Antonio Brown is going to Raiders.

And as the only remaining member of the vaunted No Fly Zone, Denver had to keep Harris Jr. given the AFC West opponents this defense will face twice a year - Tyreek Hill and Antonio Brown leading the list.

Now Elway just needs to find another worthy cornerback to give Strap Harris some help.