Upstairs at Dove Valley, the football executives caught a break.

The player made the decision for them.

Four days after the free-agent market opened in March, the Broncos were thisclose to signing Brandon LaFell to replace Eric Decker.

Emmanuel Sanders was listed as the top receiver on the Broncos’ free-agent board, but his initial asking price was more than the team could spare.

The Broncos, who had already committed nearly $110 million worth of contracts to defensive stalwarts DeMarcus Ware, Aqib Talib and T.J. Ward, offered LaFell a three-year deal worth more than $10 million. At 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, he was built along the same lines as Decker. But when there was hesitation, a desire for more money, the Broncos called Sanders and offered him three years and $15 million.

If LaFell wanted close to $4 million a year, the Broncos had a greater value placed on Sanders at $5 million. Sanders was smaller at 5-11, 180 pounds, but the former Pittsburgh Steeler was more explosive than LaFell. Sanders would give the Broncos something different from another tall receiver to pair with the large Demaryius Thomas.

Sanders accepted the Broncos’ offer. Three weeks into the season, he leads the NFL with 25 receptions and is third with 334 yards.

LaFell wound up signing a three-year, $9 million deal with the New England Patriots. So far he has four catches for 48 yards — which isn’t bad, considering he was shut out through the Pats’ first two games.

“I came into the season with the objective of trying to seize every single moment, seize every single opportunity that God has granted to me,” Sanders said. “I have a great offensive coordinator in Adam Gase, a great quarterback in Peyton Manning. He’s slingin’ the ball around. I’m just working my butt off.”

Coaches are not involved in the financial aspect of player evaluation. That’s general manager John Elway’s job. Coaches grade players on ability alone.

Pure skill and production?

“Emmanuel was No. 1 on my list,” Broncos receivers coach Tyke Tolbert said. “Because of his playmaking ability. Because of his speed, because of his suddenness out of breaks, because of his willingness to go get the ball — he makes diving catches all the time. And don’t let his size fool you. He’s a tough guy. He’ll go in there and crack safeties.

“I wasn’t the only one. We all looked at him. Adam (Gase) looked at him. Elway. We all saw the same thing — of all the guys we looked at, he was the top guy. He’s everything we thought he was.”

At his introductory news conference, Sanders called the Broncos’ offense with Peyton Manning at quarterback a “receiver’s heaven.”

While his production has soared toward the clouds, Sanders to his credit is keeping both feet down, inbounds. His first practice during the bye week Tuesday — his first work after he took the NFL lead in receptions — Sanders was last off the field. As he does after every practice, Sanders stayed to catch extra balls and work on his footwork.

“You have guys that like football,” Tolbert said. “Emmanuel loves football. He loves to practice football. He loves making plays on the ball. During practice when you guys aren’t out here, during a kicking period or defensive period, he’s always catching balls from somebody. Whether it’s me throwing to him, or it’s a trainer or Peyton or one of the personnel guys, he’s always got the ball in his hands, catching passes from somebody.”

While Sanders has been a nice find, one of the Broncos’ concerns entering their bye week has been Thomas’ slow start. Sanders is Nos. 1 and 3 in catches and yards, but Thomas ranks 45th with 13 catches and 38th with 141 yards.

“You know how this offense goes. In the preseason, Demaryius caught a ton of balls,” Sanders said. “This thing can flip-flop any day now. He’s going to start catching a lot of balls, and I’m going to take a back role and have 40-, 50-yard games and allow him to go off.

“I want both of us in the top 10. I want Wes (Welker) in there. I want everybody happy, because that will make us extremely productive as a team. I’m waiting on it to come, Demaryius having those monster games, and I know it will come soon.”

Mike Klis: mklis@denverpost.com or twitter.com/mikeklis