Emmanuel Sanders needed only two games to assert himself as the 49ers’ best, most productive receiver.

It’s not a surprise that Sanders is their No. 1 pass-catching target on the outside. There’s a reason the 49ers traded third- and fourth-round picks to acquire the 32-year-old. His rapid ascension in the offense is still jarring though considering he joined the team less than a week before his first game, then had to perform on a short week for his second game.

Short weeks and new offense aside, Sanders is already tied for the team lead in touchdown catches, tied for second among receivers in catches and fourth in receiving yards.

Sanders should be the 49ers’ No. 1 receiver the rest of the way. That’s the role they brought him in for. There’s a strong chance he’s the team leader for his position in just about every category by the time the season ends though, and he’s going to do it in about half the games.

This could be good news for San Francisco since it means their big mid-season acquisition paid immediate dividends. On the other hand, it also points to some of the lack of productivity from the other players at that spot, including a pair of second-round picks: Deebo Samuel and Dante Pettis.

So far, so good though for the Sanders-49ers union. They’re 2-0 with him and are averaging 39.5 points per game. Their offense also looks a more dynamic in the air. If they continue producing like they have and Sanders is their most prolific receiver by year’s end, it could go down as an all-time great in-season move for general manager John Lynch and the 49ers.