After adding pass-rusher Bradley Chubb in the first round of the NFL draft Thursday, the Denver Broncos selected a dynamic offensive playmaker in the second round.
The Broncos took SMU wide receiver Courtland Sutton with the 40th overall pick, giving new starting quarterback Case Keenum a dangerous young target.
The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Sutton is not the fastest receiver, but boasts the toughness and body positioning to snag contested balls. Last season, he caught 68 passes for 1,085 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Sutton should immediately compete for the No. 3 receiver spot behind Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. Last season, Denver ranked 20th in the NFL in passing offense (208 yards per game) while Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch and Brock Osweiler rotated as the starting quarterback. The Broncos signed Keenum to a two-year contract last month to help correct that.
Denver also has two third-round picks later Friday, along with two fourth-round selections and two fifth-round picks Saturday.
About Courtland Sutton
The Denver Broncos’ bolstered its receiving corps in a big way Friday by drafting receiver Courtland Sutton at No. 40 overall in the second round. Sutton declared to turn pro after his junior season.
Size: 6-foot-4, 216 pounds
College: SMU
Age: 22
Three things to know
• Sutton joins Emmanuel Sanders as the second SMU receiver on the Broncos’ roster. Sanders, selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 82 overall (third round) of the 2010 NFL draft, signed with the Broncos in 2014.
• Sutton started all 13 games as a junior in 2017 with 69 catches for 1,085 yards and 12 receiving touchdowns. He was named first-team All-American Athletic Conference and awarded SB Nation All-American honorable mention honors.
• Sutton was formerly a three-star rated prospect out of Brenham (Texas) High School and turned down a scholarship offer from the Colorado Buffaloes. He set the SMU freshman record for receiving yards (862) after a medical redshirt season.
Scouting report
Strengths: Has big, durable frame for heavy lifting. … Inaccurate quarterback limited potential of his production over last two seasons. … Doesn’t get hung up easily by contact. … Willing to work in the middle of traffic.
Weaknesses: Play speed feels non-threatening. … Faster cornerbacks squat on routes and consistently contest his catches. … Route wiggle is average and feels gradual rather than sharp. … Has tendency to coast by on size and scheme over pattern effort and technique.
*Information provided by NFL.com.
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