ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — A year ago at this time, Denver Broncos wide receiver was just trying to act like he knew what he was doing. In his words, he didn’t yet know what he didn’t yet know. A lot has changed since then.
With Emmanuel Sanders still sidelined due to an Achilles injury, Sutton is running as the team’s No. 1 receiver during OTAs, and with a new coaching staff and a new quarterback in town, he’s standing on equal ground with the rest of his teammates.
“There’s a lot less unknown,” he told BSN Denver on Monday. “Having this year under my belt has definitely given me a lot more confidence and assurance that I know what to expect, I know what I’m supposed to do when I come in here. I know how to make sure I’m doing all the things I need to do to make sure I’m getting ready for the training camp and the season.”
One thing that Sutton has certainly learned over his year in the organization is that the NFL does indeed stand for “Not For Long.” Each and every quarterback that was with the Broncos when Sutton was drafted is now gone. In fact, the only quarterback that spent any time with the Broncos in 2018 that’s still around is Kevin Hogan, with Case Keenum, Chad Kelly and Garrett Grayson all out the door.
Now, Denver sports a superiorly talented group featuring two high-round picks in Joe Flacco and Drew Lock to go along with Hogan and Rich Scangarello’s project, Brett Rypien.
We asked Sutton what the transition has been like.
“Every quarterback throws the ball differently. Every quarterback at every level throws the ball differently,” he said. “You do have to get adjusted to it.”
“With Joe being 6-5, the ball comes out a little bit higher,” he added. “Drew is also 6-3 or 6-4, so the ball comes out around the same. Kevin, same thing. Brett is around the same height as Case, but he has like a touch that he puts on it, like he knows how to get the ball there with the touch and without it being forced in there. All the quarterbacks have something different and it’s cool being able to go over there and catch with them.”
While, of course, the arm strength stands out for both Flacco and Lock, Sutton has been impressed with a different quality.
“Joe has a really good touch and he knows how to put it in spots and in tight windows—he knows how to get it there, without it being too hard for us to catch it,” he explained. “I haven’t caught as much from Drew, but from what I have, he is getting the ball where he is supposed to get it and having the touch on it, as well.”
Speaking of different qualities, when asked what really stands about his new quarterback, Sutton highlighted the exact opposite of the national narrative surrounding Flacco.
“I think a lot of people underestimate his athleticism,” he said, drawing raised eyebrows. “I think that’s one thing that a lot of people underestimate. I think they think that he’s just a sit-back-there-and-throw-it guy. He can move in the pocket.
“He has so much confidence in his arm,” Sutton added. “That’s one thing that I really enjoy, having him be really comfortable with his throws. He knows where he can get the ball to. He’s willing to make those throws and take those chances. Those are things that I like because there are times when, as a receiver, we feel like we’re open and there’s a small window. If you don’t have a quarterback that trusts that window, you won’t get it. Having him trust his arm as much as he does and have confidence in us and building that confidence every day with the reps, it’s awesome.”
If there’s one thing that’s been evident with both Flacco and Lock during the early, it’s just that. Both players are more than willing to try and fit the ball into tight windows, and both complete those throws regularly, something that must be easy on the eyes for aggressive-minded offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello.
It’s also likely one of the reasons Sutton used the word he used when we asked him to describe this offense in one word.
“Explosive.”
Wouldn’t that be a welcome sight?
