Broncos WR Preview: Courtland Sutton come backs coming from ACL personal injury to lead younger team of receivers

Take a look at this post by Ryan O’Halloran from The Denver Post discussing some important news items this week. Ryan O’Halloran recently posted this and I thought it was worth posting here.

Editor’s note: Sixth in a series previewing each Broncos position group entering the start of training camp on Tuesday.

Throughout last year’s training camp, Courtland Sutton wasn’t just the Broncos’ best receiver, he was their best offensive player.

Sutton got open on shallow crosses, caught contested passes in the red zone and showed his usual downfield playmaking ability. A repeat of his breakout 2019 (1,112 yards and a Pro Bowl selection) was anticipated.

But before the end of Week 2, Sutton was gone for the season, tearing his ACL in his 20th snap of the loss at Pittsburgh.

Months of rehabilitation complete, Sutton is back knowing he will be a free agent after the season. He was limited to individual drill work during the offseason program and it’s possible he will have his work managed next month with the goal of being ready for the Sept. 12 opener at the New York Giants.

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“We missed not having him last year,” offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said. “Certainly, having him back is going to be huge.”

Equally gigantic will be if Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler take steps forward in their second seasons and Tim Patrick continues to be Mr. Steady.

Who’s back

Courtland Sutton (second round 2018), Jerry Jeudy (first round ’20), KJ Hamler (second round ’20), Tim Patrick (free agent ’17), Tyrie Cleveland (seventh round ’20), Diontae Spencer (waivers ’19), Trinity Benson (undrafted free agent ’19) and Kendall Hinton (undrafted free agent ’20).

The plus for Jeudy: He went against No. 1 cornerbacks after Sutton was injured, totaling 52 catches for a team-high 856 yards, and will be better because of that experience. The minus for Jeudy: He was booked for 10 dropped passes, but five came in one game (Week 16 loss at the Los Angeles Chargers). Look for him to use his precise route-running skills to beat Nos. 2-3 cornerbacks.

Hamler is a tease. When he’s healthy, he gives Shurmur all kinds of options, lining him up everywhere from the slot to the backfield. But Hamler needs to stay available. Hamstring injuries stunted his early-2020 progress and also kept him off the field during this summer’s offseason program.

Patrick is playing for his next contract, be it here or elsewhere. He had no dropped passes last year and led the Broncos with six touchdown catches.

Spencer is expected to make the team as the sixth receiver, but active on Sundays because he is the primary returner.

Who’s new

Seth Williams (seventh round), DeVontres Dukes (undrafted free agent), Warren Jackson (undrafted free agent), Branden Mack (undrafted free agent), Amara Darboh (free agent) and De’Mornay Pierson-El (free agent).

It’s likely none of these players make the initial 53-man roster.

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Williams (6-foot-3/211 pounds) is a developmental player who could be ticketed for the practice squad and then challenge for backup receiver/special teams reps next year. He averaged 16.2 yards per catch last year for Auburn.

Jackson starred at Colorado State, totaling 124 catches for 1,789 yards and 14 touchdowns in 33 games.

Who’s gone

DaeSean Hamilton (non-football injury) and Fred Brown (Tennessee).

Overview

Sutton and Jeudy are good enough that they will produce regardless of if it is Teddy Bridgewater or Drew Lock at quarterback in Week 1.

The Broncos must be better downfield. Their 49 catches of at least 20 yards were 16th in the NFL, but according to Stats, their 48.9 passer rating on attempts of at least 21 air yards was second-worst in the league (Cincinnati 48.4) and well below the average of 101.3.

Sutton is an outside receiver who will draw safety attention and one thought is to use Jeudy in the slot on the same side of the formation to give him room down the middle of the field.