Week 5 at Los Angeles Chargers
Last Sunday versus the Jaguars Courland Sutton caught six passes for 62 yards and scored twice, the first multi-TD game of his career. After registering 120 yards in the season opener Sutton is averaging five grabs for 63 yards per contest over the past three. The Broncos are hoping to have more of a run-pass balance on Sunday at Los Angeles, but if they fall behind early again, look for Joe Flacco to again put the ball in the air often. Sutton should be used as a WR3/flex play versus the No. 11 pass defense.
Week 4 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Although Joe Flacco threw for just over 200 yards last week at Green Bay, Courtland Sutton had a good day, leading Denver with eight targets, five catches and 87 yards. The afternoon was aided by a 52-yard grab, the longest of his career. With potentially Jalen Ramsey on Emmanuel Sanders this Sunday, it could mean another solid performance for Sutton. He should be used as a WR3/flex.
Week 3 at Green Bay Packers
After registering his first 100-yard game in the Week 1 loss to Oakland, Courtland Sutton was held to 40 yards on four receptions in the last-second loss to the Bears. Joe Flacco completed 35 passes and threw for almost 300 yards in the loss, so the outing was disappointing for Sutton owners. Expect Flacco to have to air it out again at Green Bay on Sunday with his team trying to play catchup. Sutton should be used as a WR3.
Week 2 vs. Chicago Bears
In the Week 1 loss to the Raiders, Courtland Sutton posted the best numbers of his short career. On a team-leading eight targets, he collected seven grabs for 120 yards, the first time he’s eclipsed the century mark. With the Broncos behind the entire night, Joe Flacco ended up throwing 31 times, with the team finally able to move the ball in the second half. Sutton will be going against a good Chicago defense, but after his performance in the opener, he should remain in your starting lineup.
Week 1 at Oakland Raiders
During his rookie season Courtland Sutton totaled over 700 yards and four TDs. In the loss at Oakland last Christmas Eve, without Emmanuel Sanders in the lineup, he finished with a career-high six receptions for 65 yards and a score. With Joe Flacco under center the Broncos are expecting to be more explosive on offense. Even though the Raiders defense had their share of troubles last season, Sutton should be considered a QB3 play.
Fantasy Upside
Courtland Sutton will be Denver’s No. 2 WR and start opposite Emmanuel Sanders to open the season. Despite getting off to a somewhat slow start last season, Sutton became just the 15th rookie WR since ‘11 to register at least 40 receptions with over 700 yards, score a minimum of four times and average at least 14.0 yards per grab. In the second to last game of the season at Oakland, he posted a career-high six receptions. Joe Flacco will be the Broncos QB, which should be an upgrade over Case Keenum last year.
Fantasy Downside
Before Demaryius Thomas was traded, Sutton was having a subpar rookie season, with only 17 grabs through the first eight contests. Even without Thomas and Sanders inured for the last month of ’18, the most receiving yards Sutton’s registered in a game was 85. Fellow second-year WR DaeSean Hamilton had a good end to his rookie season and will likely take away some targets from Sutton.
Bottom Line
Sutton’s height, at 6’3" should make him a big part in the red zone offense. Playing opposite of Sanders may help the former SMU Mustang, as when Sanders was out Sutton had to face opponents’ top cornerback. Without Sanders, Sutton averaged just 36.5 yards per game and only 10.5 yards per catch. In the five games prior, he averaged over 60 yards per contest. As the Broncos No. 2 WR, as long at Flacco remains healthy, Sutton has a shot at a 1,000-yard season.
Week 17 vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Last Monday night at the Raiders, Courtland Sutton saw 10 targets from Case Keenum, leading to six receptions for a team-high 65 yards, including a fourth-quarter TD. He has scored four times during his rookie campaign and led Denver with 78 receiving yards in the win against the Chargers earlier this season. Consider Sutton a WR3/flex play on Sunday.
Week 16 at Oakland Raiders
With Case Keenum throwing 48 passes last week in the loss to the Browns, Courtland Sutton was targeted six times, leading to a career-high five receptions for 42 yards. Without Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas, it was anticipated that the rookie would become the No. 1 option for Keenum but that hasn’t happened. Although he was targeted six times in the previous meeting versus the Raiders in Week 2, Sutton had just a nine-yard reception. He should be considered no more than a WR3/flex play on Monday night.
Week 15 vs. Cleveland Browns
With Case Keenum attempting 42 passes in San Fran last Sunday, Courtland Sutton was targeted six times, but caught only two of them for 14 yards. Denver fell behind early, which usually leads to some garbage yards for QBs and WRs, however, it was Tim Patrick and DaeSean who ended up with seven grabs each. Back at home this week expect a better game from Sutton versus a bad Browns pass defense, but he’s still just a WR3 start.
Week 14 at San Francisco 49ers
In the win over the Bengals last Sunday, Courtland Sutton led the Broncos with seven targets, leading to career-highs of four grabs and 85 yards and he scored his third touchdown of the season – the first since Week 7. In three of the past five contests, Sutton has registered at least 78 yards, with 14 total receptions during that timeframe. The 49ers are No. 13 versus the pass and the balanced Broncos attack has been conservative lately with the aerial game. Sutton will likely be counted on more than usual with Emmanuel Sanders done for the season so consider him a WR2 play.
