The Denver Broncos were always going to expect more from Courtland Sutton this season. But with leading receiver Emmanuel Sanders still limited by his ongoing recovery from surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles, training camp has begun with Sutton firmly established as his team’s No. 1 target. On just the second day of practice, the second-year pro showed a glimpse of why the Broncos have so much confidence in his ability to live up to their expectations.
Sutton leapt high and came down in bounds on a bullet throw from Joe Flacco, Denver’s new starting quarterback, during Friday’s practice, putting his rare combination of length, fluidity, and hands on full display.
OKAY, @SuttonCourtland! 👣#ToeDragSwag | #BroncosCamp pic.twitter.com/3j5gMtZMZl
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) July 19, 2019
A second-round pick out of SMU last year, Sutton came on strong as a rookie, starting over the second half of the schedule. He finished with 42 catches for 704 yards and four touchdowns last season, pacing Denver in yards per catch and tying Sanders for the team lead in receiving touchdowns. Sutton was second to Sanders in both receptions and receiving yards.
If he grows up in a hurry this season, it would go a long way toward helping the Broncos compete with the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers in the AFC West.
Sanders appeared on track to being a full participant in training camp when he posted videos of himself sprinting and making aggressive cuts in May and June. But the Broncos, smartly, are slow-playing his recovery from the injury he suffered last December, limiting his use in the early stages of training camp to ensure he’s fully healthy when it matters most.
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