Courtland

Sutton

Sutton’s 53 yards today are now a season-high, as are his four receptions. That, however, largely speaks to how unproductive he has been this year. Sutton has more games under 20 yards than over 40. He also has just one touchdown through eight games. His signs of life versus the Chiefs will keep him in the WR5 ranks for Week 9, but the ceiling remains nonexistent.

Waddle left Sunday’s game against the Cardinals with the chest injury. It was, according to Rapoport, an “aggravation of his previous chest injury.” Waddle could try to practice later this week, but would appear to be iffy unless he can log a practice session by Friday. If Waddle is sidelined this week against the Chiefs, Courtland Sutton would likely see more targets and become an interesting flex option against a tough KC secondary. Sutton over the past four weeks leads Denver in air yards and has the second most targets behind Waddle.

Sutton’s 45 yards today were one shy of his season-high, which mostly speaks to how quiet the veteran wideout has been this year. He has only topped 25 yards twice and has just one touchdown to his name. Jaylen Waddle injured his chest late in this contest and could be out for Week 8. That would funnel a few more targets Sutton’s way, but it’s not like Waddle was putting up loads of counting stats that now shift to Sutton. Even if Waddle is out for Week 8 versus the Chiefs, Sutton would have a hard time pushing past the WR4 ranks.

Nix’s only incompletion when targeting Sutton resulted in the veteran receiver getting rocked over the middle of the field on a ball Nix led him directly into oncoming contact. Sutton vented his frustration by repeatedly pounding the ground following the hit, with it unclear whether it was due to the hit or the incompletion on third down on a night the Broncos struggled to move the football to the tune of only 168 yards of total offense. Fantasy managers likely aren’t utilizing Sutton as a weekly option, but will want to track his practice status ahead of a Week 7 meeting with the Cardinals if bye week fill-ins are required.

It’s the first touchdown for Sutton on the season, and it tied the game at 17-17. The 31-year-old was unable to find room versus the Chargers’ secondary, and for the fifth-straight week, Sutton was held under 50 yards. His size could give the smaller Seahawks’ defensive backs trouble, but he’s essentially a touchdown-dependent FLEX for Week 6 against Seattle.

Sutton was the recipient of a couple off-target intermediate looks from Bo Nix, who struggled to place the ball against the 49ers secondary. Sutton could see an expanded role in the Denver offense if Pat Bryant is out long term following his leg injury in Week 4. Sutton has been targeted on 16 percent of his pass routes this season; he has nine receptions through four games. Sutton should only be rostered in deeper leagues.

Sutton tied for the team lead in targets while pacing the offense in yards, which highlights the struggles that persist in Davis Webb’s offense through three games. He will be off the FLEX radar ahead of a Week 4 showdown against the 49ers.

Sutton’s lone end zone target was intercepted on a poor throw from Bo Nix. Last week Sutton had just 11 yards on five targets in the Broncos’ season-opening loss to the Chiefs. Jaylen Waddle, with 148 yards in Week 2, has established himself as the clear-cut WR1 in the Denver offense. Sutton will be a touchdown-dependent WR3/4 option in Week 3 against the Rams.

Nix during his postgame presser defended offensive play caller Davis Webb, who took over for head coach Sean Payton this offseason. “The players did not make it easy on [Webb] today,” said Nix, who completed 17-of-28 passes for 131 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in Monday night’s loss to Kansas City. “Pretty pitiful, actually.” Denver had the league’s second lowest drop back EPA of Week 1; only the Falcons were worse. Nix, meanwhile, ranked 28th out of 32 qualifying QBs in Week 1 accuracy. “We called exactly what we prepared for and what we wanted to get to and we just didn’t execute,” Nix said. “Then we were behind.” Webb and the Broncos will look to bounce back in Week 2 against a tough Jaguars defense.

The good news for Sutton’s fantasy managers is that he tied for second on the team in targets. The bad news is everything else. Sutton was locked down by the aggressive Kansas City secondary, failing to generate separation as the offense struggled to move the football. It is difficult to count on Sutton as being any higher than third on the team’s pecking order for targets following the addition of Jaylen Waddle this offseason. The veteran incumbent turns 31 in October and appears likely to struggle when he’s not finding the end zone. Sutton is a low-upside WR4 ahead of a pass-funnel matchup against the Jaguars in Week 2.