Denver Broncos: Week 2 stock report after win over Jaguars
Courtland Sutton
Life looks much different for Courtland Sutton today than it did a year ago.
One year ago, Sutton suffered the dreaded torn ACL in Week 2 after attempting to make a tackle following an interception thrown by Jeff Driskel. After so much hype had surrounded Sutton in the offseason, just like that, his opportunity for his breakout campaign was over.
After what was possibly the longest year of the young wide receiver’s life, his knee had healed, and his opportunity was coming back around.
Marking the one year anniversary of his major injury, things truly came full-circle for Courtland Sutton against the Jaguars, as he finished the contest with 159 receiving yards, averaging nearly 18 yards a reception. Unfortunately, Sutton did not get his dues, as he did not record a touchdown on Sunday.
However, he has plenty of time for that.
Sutton has more than proven that he is the same caliber player with the same level of potential that he had prior to an injury that often impacts an athlete’s style of play forever. Teddy Bridgewater carries a strong chemistry with Courtland Sutton, and Broncos Country is simply along for the ride that this potentially great duo could take us on in 2021.
Stock Down
The Offensive Line
While the Denver Broncos’ offensive line has certainly had worse outings in recent years, the unit simply did not perform up to expectation in the win over the Jaguars, or, realistically, in the 2021 season thus far.
Though the offensive line has kept the bleeding fairly minimal in the sack aspect, though he was sacked three times against Jacksonville, one coming at a pivotal red zone appearance, Bridgewater has faced enormous pressure just in the first two weeks.
Teddy Bridgewater has been pressured on 34.2 percent of his dropbacks, a concerning number, to say the least.
While the Broncos faced a stout New York Giants defensive line, the Jaguars stout a lesser threat, yet the offensive line still could not contain, and was frankly beat and allowed the pocket to collapse more than is acceptable.
Of course, this group is still young, with Dalton Risner just in his early NFL years, as well as tackle Bobby Massie and Netane Muti starting in the place of Graham Glasgow for health reasons. The season is young, and this group has time to turn it around, but the pressure should be on to do so.
This group will see much bigger threats this season, and will encounter guys in the AFC West who have the ability to wreck a game, and could do it twice a year.
Guys like Chris Jones, Joey Bosa, and Maxx Crosby could feast against this line if they cannot improve their play. However, this group, much like the secondary, is enduring growing pains as well. Let’s give it a little more time before we become overly concerned.