Broncos had first-round grade on Courtland Sutton

Denver Broncos General Manager John Elway said the team had a first-round grade on wide receiver Courtland Sutton, who they selected in the second round.

The Denver Broncos had a first-round grade on wide receiver Courtland Sutton out of SMU, according to General Manager John Elway.

Denver selected Sutton with the 40th overall pick in the 2018 draft but it sounds like, if they selected later in the first round, they would have taken him with that draft choice. Instead, they had the fifth overall pick and selected defensive end Bradley Chubb out of North Carolina State.

The fact that Sutton lasted until the 40th pick was good news for the Broncos. Being able to select a player you had ranked higher than your draft spot is usually a good thing. Now the Broncos can add Sutton to the wide receiver mix in Denver. They have Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders atop the depth chart.

Sutton was the third receiver selected in the 2018 NFL Draft, behind DJ Moore (Panthers) and Calvin Ridley (Falcons), both selected in the first round on Thursday.

There are now two big pass catchers in Denver. Last season, the Broncos had a 6’3″ receiver in Demaryius Thomas. Their other starter at the position, Emmanuel Sanders, is a hair under 6’0″ at 5’11”. Sutton is taller than both Thomas and Sanders, at 6’4″. In comparison, that’s taller than former Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant.

The addition of Sutton is huge. The Broncos have a new starting quarterback in Case Keenum. This receiver group for Denver is the strongest tandem Keenum has ever had, despite having a great year in 2017, throwing to Adam Thielan and Stefon Diggs.

I’m a big fan of this receiving corps the Broncos now have. It is great to have one big receiver. But two? That is unfair. Thomas and Sutton can “climb the ladder” and snag passes from Keenum while out-jumping the cornerbacks that are assigned to defend them.

To recap, the Broncos have selected defensive end Bradley Chubb fifth overall. Courtland Sutton arrived second to Denver. Running back Royce Freeman with the 71st overall pick.

Next: How Courtland Sutton Impacts Broncos Roster

The addition of Chubb creates depth for the Denver D, and selecting Sutton and Freeman give the Broncos offense some needed firepower.

Denver’s running back position took a plunge when the team released starter CJ Anderson. The receiver position in Denver became thin after Latimer and Fowler did not return.