Courtland Sutton 2018 Outlook
Sutton is "raw," as general manager John Elway said, but productive. His athleticism, ability to adjust to the ball in mid-flight and willingness to make catches in traffic give him a chance to be a No. 1 receiver -- when the time is right. Sutton becomes the heir apparent to Demaryius Thomas, who is fighting to hold off hip and leg issues as he ages but still plays at a high level. As Rookie Scouting Portfolio author Matt Waldman reminded readers, Thomas transitioned from a raw athlete into a top primary option thanks to his work with Peyton Manning. He in turn can be a great mentor to a massively talented Sutton who has a lot of minor flaws that too often impact his game in a big way. But as Footballguys.com's Sigmund Bloom suggested, Sutton is similar to Thomas in that he's a big bully with much better movement than expected for someone with his size and thickness. Thomas' extra value is more in straight line speed whereas Sutton's is in quickness. Can he contribute this year? Getting Sutton on the field will allow Emmanuel Sanders to work out of the slot, but fantasy owners should view the newcomer as more of a Dynasty than a re-draft play.
