The Patriots are targeting Steelers restricted free agent wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders. (Getty Images)
The Patriots are attempting to wrestle wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders away from the Pittsburgh Steelers as they signed the restricted free agent to an offer sheet Wednesday. The Steelers have until Sunday to match New England’s offer, which is a reported one-year, $2.5 million contract.
If the Steelers do not match, the Patriots would give up a third round draft pick.
The 26-year-old Sanders is a versatile receiver who can go over the top and over the middle. He caught a career-high 44 passes in 2012.
The Patriots also agreed to a contract with slot receiver and punt returner Julian Edelman, who caught 21 balls for 235 yards and three touchdowns in nine 2012 games.
