ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Is Courtland Sutton fired up?
“Honestly, that’s probably the best way to describe my demeanor,” he said, talking at a million miles per hour. “I’m excited to get in and become a Bronco; I’m excited to be able to get in and learn more from Emmanuel Sanders, to learn from Demaryius [Thomas]. I’m excited to come and become the best version of myself that I can be in this position.”
That’s not all he’s excited about, though. Oh no, not at all.
“I’m excited to come in and help this organization get back to the Super Bowl and win it, and then win another Super Bowl. I’m just really excited to be a part of this organization, and be a part of something that is way bigger than myself, and to just be able to have this opportunity. I’m blessed, and I’m very thankful to the Broncos organization for giving me this opportunity to come in and prove myself, and to help this organization get to where we want to get to.”
In talking to the Denver media shortly after the Broncos made him their second selection in the 2018 NFL Draft, Sutton—a 6-foot-3, 218-pound wideout—sounded like that person who is so unbelievably prepared for the test they start answering the questions before you even finish reading the note card.
His confidence is off of the charts.
“I’m a guy who is going to come up to the field and demand respect wherever I am on the field,” he said, maintaining the speed in his words. “Whether I’m in the slot, whether I’m in the outside on the right or the left, wherever I am on the field, whether it’s a pass play or a run play, defenses have to know where I’m at, because they know that I’m going to do my job, and I’m going to go above and beyond what is required of me. That’s what I bring to the table.”
“I’m going to make plays, and I’m going to continue to make plays,” he added. “I’m not going to be a guy who makes plays every now and then and then kind of disappears… I think that that’s a huge strength that I bring to the table outside of just being a big, 6-4, 220 guy. I bring that presence on to the field.”
As a “small-school” receiver, Sutton went in search of anything he could learn to try and help pave his path to the NFL. In that search, he came across fellow SMU product, a guy he calls “E-Man,” Broncos receiver Emmanuel Sanders. He spoke with Sanders multiple times during the process, learning that the best way to get noticed was simple.
“Hard work is the only way.”
But Sanders wasn’t his only source.
“I’m taking a little bit of knowledge from everybody that I get a chance to take knowledge from,” he explained. “That’s a lot of guys who played the position at a very, very high level and guys that I really trust. I watched them dominate the game at a high level, and I trust that the things that got them to that level are the things that I need to do.”
“I’m going to learn from them and figure out what I need to do to be able to become a dominant, all-pro receiver in this league and ultimately help my team get to a Super Bowl and win a Super Bowl.”
Get ready for Courtland Sutton, Broncos Country, because Courtland Sutton is ready for you.
0 Comments (5 conversations)
I have to tell you Ryan, this draft pick was a head-scratch for me. I don’t doubt that Courtland Sutton will make a solid contribution to the Broncos–on the field, in the locker room and in the community–but was Wide Receiver the biggest need worth of a second round pick? I was thinking Tight End, Offensive Line or maybe D-Line or D-backfield, but Wide Receiver so early in the process in the second round??? I give this pick a “C” rating at best. Seems to me we could have picked a receiver in the 4th or 5th rounds, no???
Ryan Koenigsberg
AuthorHey Paulie, I see where you’re coming from but you don’t want them drafting for biggest need, you want them drafting best player available at one of the needs.
They did have their eyes on an OL, but he went off the board before the picked. You don’t want them to reach just to fill a need. WR is a need for this team to be more explosive on offense, having just two hasn’t been cutting it for them. Not to mention, DT’s years are likely numbered.
Preston_Nibaur
I don’t mind Sutton too much. I just really thought Guice was the right pick their. Would have loved Daniels, but the Bears made a nice pick just before us. Is there a reason Guice fell so far? It really felt like the league collectively became hesitant on him as a prospect. Did he interview really poorly or something? Was there another concern?
Preston_Nibaur
There* can’t handle grammar errors haha
Preston_Nibaur
Excited to read it. I know these things typically have a reason. I didn’t get it when the Broncos passed. But when he fell all way through the 40s and deep into the 50s, I was convinced something was up. Thanks for the info
Spacebar
I’m with you Paulie. This was not what I was expecting in the 2nd. I said it elsewhere in another article but I thought Elway would have traded up for Hernandez or Jones. Then he passed up Conner Williams for Sutton……I’m scratching my head too.
Litvakski
Is this a guy who can play a big slot role or are they going to put him outside and move sanders in? I just want to know what to expect his contribution to be for the team?
Craig L
The more I think about it, the more I love this pick. It adds competition, which I’m sure was discussed on the pod a few weeks back. No one can come into this team thinking their place is safe, this makes Carlos Henderson have to work but also puts pressure onto Emmanueland DT too.
Noreik
The other aspect to Sutton to consider that with his size and hands he’s not too dissimilar to a pass catching TE who’s split out wide (like Mark Andrews/Mike Gesicki) with Jake Butt the in-line guy. Could see the Broncos picking up a more blocking TE like Will Diddly (who Mayock had ranked 5 at one point) or Durham Smythe. Another option could be Jaylen Samuels as an offensive Swiss Army knife.