Will this offseason include a Courtland Sutton trade for the Denver Broncos?
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. And sending Sutton away seems increasingly likely.
First, Sutton didn’t show up for voluntary workouts. And now, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN says the Broncos have received multiple offers from teams about the No. 1 receiver.
Broncos have received multiple offers in proposed Courtland Sutton trade
From Fowler this morning:
The #Broncos have received multiple trade inquiries on wide receiver Courtland Sutton, per sources. The Broncos do not plan to trade Sutton, who is skipping voluntary workouts due to his contract. pic.twitter.com/whEgRhjyAf
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) April 20, 2024
Sutton is looking for a new contract. He’s already been paid $2 million of his $17.4M million total for 2024, but wants a raise this season. That’s because he balled out in 2023 and is about to play with his ninth different quarterback.
His average annual value, or AAV, is currently 22nd in the league and he’s arguably better than a bunch of the guys ahead of him. For one, Jerry Jeudy makes more. Then there’s Amari Cooper, D.J. Moore, and Chris Godwin to name a few more.
Sutton is likely looking for something north of $20M per year, and he’s proven he’s worth it.
Last year, with all the uncertainty on offense and a shaky Russell Wilson throwing him the ball, the star wideout racked up 772 yards and 10 touchdowns. His 10 scores were the most of his 6-year career. And they tied for fourth-most in the league.
The case for not pulling off a Courtland Sutton trade
The wideout is in the prime of his career, is a team leader, and the Broncos have him under contract for the next two seasons.
On top of all that, Denver’s wide receiver room is depleted and they need to sign or trade for additional players even with Sutton on the roster.
Jeudy got traded away earlier in the offseason, meaning the No. 2 receiver is likely Josh Reynolds, and both Marvin Mims and Tim Patrick will be expected to step up. There’s also Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Jalen Virgil, and Brandon Johnson on the roster. Most of those guys are bench players.
Whether the team goes with Jarrett Stidham or drafts a rookie quarterback, having someone with Sutton’s experience would seriously help the team when they’re throwing the ball.
The other reason Denver shouldn’t trade Sutton is he may not bring in the draft capital they want. Jeudy earned the Broncos a measly fifth and sixth-round pick; they’d have to get more for their No. 1 receiver, right?
It’s possible one of those teams who has already inquired reaches out again this Thursday or Friday. Deals tend to happen when the pressure is on and GMs are emotionally charged during the draft.
If Denver can get a second or third-round pick, they’ll likely seriously consider a Sutton trade. The orange and blue currently don’t have a second-round pick; they traded it to get Sean Payton last year.
If they could secure a second for Sutton, they could then possibly package it and the No. 12 selection to move up in the first round and land a star QB. Another option is possibly trading away left tackle Garett Bolles and picks to climb up the draft board.
No one knows for sure what the Broncos will do, but we’ll all learn more as it happens in Thursday, April 25 at 6 p.m. MDT. That’s when the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft starts.