Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton, the longtime subject of many a trade rumor, made headlines earlier this week when he did not attend voluntary practices. While these practices are not mandatory (as the name suggests), most players show up to establish a rapport with their new and old teammates. Sutton, however, wants a new contract and is staging a mini holdout for a new deal.
Originally selected in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Sutton took the world by storm when he recorded 72 receptions for 1,112 yards and six touchdowns during his second year in the league. While he’s never recaptured that form, the SMU product remained productive last year, recording 59 receptions for 772 yards and a team-high 10 touchdowns. With the Broncos embracing a rebuild, the Broncos could trade Courtland Sutton, rather than give the 29-year-old receiver a brand new contract.
Thanks in large part to a talented wide receiver draft class and several other veterans on the trade block, it shouldn’t cost too much for any interested team to acquire Courtland Sutton. In fact, NFL insider Benjamin Allbright believes a fourth-round pick could be enough to secure the deal.
Courtland Sutton trade was estimated by Ben Allbright as a 4th rd pick
For a 4th, #BillsMafia would want DEN to eat a portion of his salary to facilitate the cap portion of the move
DEN is much more likely to do so on Sutton than SF is on Aiyuk or CIN on Higgins https://t.co/z9YiCRxWpg
— Greg Cover 1 🏈 (@GregTompsett) April 17, 2024
Reported Price Leaks In Courtland Sutton Trade Talks
Even though a fourth-round pick isn’t that valuable of an asset, it’s easy to see why the Denver Boncos would accept one in a Courtland Sutton trade. After taking on a record amount of dead money to cut Russell Wilson, the team has no choice but to rebuild and accept that the 2024 season will probably be a lost campaign. Seeing as Sutton is only under contract for one more season, Denver should maximize their value and take what they can get for the former Pro Bowler.
For what it’s worth, the Broncos have already embraced the rebuild. The team already parted ways with Jerry Jeudy and Justin Simmons, so a Courtland Sutton trade would fit in with the overall theme of the offseason. Perhaps Sutton doesn’t have another Pro Bowl season left in his tank, but he’d be a great addition for a contender, or simply a team looking to add a reliable weapon for a young quarterback.
Possible Trade Destinations
Baltimore Ravens
Odell Beckham is not the player he once was, but the Ravens will miss having him on the roster. Mark Andrews and Zay Flowers are reliable weapons, but most elite teams need three reliable receivers to make a deep playoff run. Seeing as he only costs a fourth-round pick, Courtland Sutton could be a perfect trade target, as his ability to win on the sideline makes him a perfect complement to Flowers and Andrews.
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers do not have the resources to get one of the top wide receiver prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. What they do have, however, is the opportunity to provide Bryce Young with a multitude of good but not great options in the passing game. Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen are both fine receivers and adding Courtland Sutton via trade will give the former first-round pick three players capable of getting open on any given snap. If Young still can’t improve with this supporting cast, then the Panthers will know it’s time to move on.
Dallas Cowboys
Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys are in the midst of one of the most underwhelming ‘all-in’ campaigns in recent memory. While there are holes throughout the roster, one of the biggest is at wide receiver. CeeDee Lamb is phenomenal, but Dallas needs to find a secondary option. With all the good free agents gone, the Cowboys should trade for Courtland Sutton. Mike McCarthy needs to go on a deep playoff run to save his job, so he might not want to risk his future on the development of a young prospect.
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills have a series of decent pass-catching options in Dalton Kincaid, Khalil Shakir, and Curtis Samuel, but no real superstar. Courtland Sutton isn’t going to fix that problem, but the trade candidate could provide a much-needed perimeter threat in the red zone. While none of these players can individually replace Diggs, they can collectively provide Josh Allen with enough targets to take this team on a deep playoff run.
Los Angeles Chargers
Could the Broncos trade Courtland Sutton to a division rival? This sort of thing doesn’t happen too frequently, but the fit makes too much sense. The Chargers have yet to find replacements for Mike Williams or Keenan Allen, as Justin Herbert has absolutely nobody to throw to. Sutton and Williams have similar styles of play, and the longtime Bronco should be a natural fit in this offense. Seeing as Denver isn’t focused on winning this year, they should have no qualms about sending an older veteran to Los Angeles.
Main Photo: Gary A. Vasquez – USA Today Sports
