Quarterback Joe Flacco said that WR Courtland Sutton taking first and second team reps benefits him.

“He’s a guy that learns with a lot of reps and once he gets those reps, he never makes the same mistakes again and he has a really good feel for how to do things,” Flacco said. “That’s really the bottom line with him. You’ve just got to get him out there, get him the reps and let him build his confidence from there.”

The story said that Sutton’s dud of an opening practice feels like a month ago and he has rebounded to be mostly steady. Sutton is in a good spot to get noticed as Emmanuel Sanders (Achilles tendon) and DaeSean Hamilton (hamstring) battle injuries.

Despite the uncertainty of Emmanuel Sanders’ injury, Broncos’ general manager John Elway did not reinforce the receiver position by bringing in a proven veteran or two. Why? Elway wanted to give his young core receivers – Courtland Sutton, DaeSean Hamilton and Tim Patrick – room to grow.

Sutton, as the most talented of the young trio, is the key. Based on his offseason work with Flacco, Sutton does have a great chance to meet his own expectations and become the team’s No. 1 receiver.

The story said the team didn't have the money to add to the group of WRs after spending on other positions. And so the Broncos’ receiver group must count on the healthy return of Sanders and the continued improvement of Sutton, Hamilton and Patrick in year two.

WR Emmanuel Sanders said being available for the Broncos’ opener “feels realistic.”

Related players: DaeSean Hamilton, Courtland Sutton

As the tweet went on to say, Sanders isn't committing to a concrete timetable. But, it also went on to say Sanders is confident he can have a pro bowl season coming off his Achilles injury. Hamilton and Sutton should be in for nice seasons as well, and that could especially be true if Sanders has any setbacks or just isn't quite up to speed early in the season.

Best rookie: The Broncos had plenty of candidates here, including Bradley Chubb (first round) and wide receiver Courtland Sutton (second round) -- they were 1-2 among Denver's rookies as each played more than 800 snaps this season -- but undrafted rookie running back Phillip Lindsay is the pick. Lindsay, who missed the finale after wrist surgery, finished ninth in the league in rushing (1,037 yards) and was second in the league in yards per carry (5.4). He was the most consistent player in the Broncos' offense.

Related players: DaeSean Hamilton

The story gave the nod to Hamilton as the most improved rookie. He didn't have a catch the first six games out of seven but then became a reliable target to finish up the season. Sutton, a second round pick, also showed flashes, especially through the first half of the season, but from a fantasy standpoint, he perhaps disappointed a little toward the end of the year when Demaryius Thomas was traded and Emmanuel Sanders was hurt and Sutton was expected to be a top target. Both Hamilton and Sutton will be in the mix as potential top targets in 2019.