Broncos projected 2022 receptions leader: Courtland Sutton
In Seattle, Russell Wilson had D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, players similar to what he has in Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy. A lot of fans are going to want to say Jeudy here because they are ready for him to show up like the first-round pick he was chosen to be, but Wilson may favor the bigger Sutton, at least early.
Though Metcalf and Lockett had nearly the same amount of receptions last year, Wilson targeted Metcalf 22 more times through the air.
Sutton is still technically the No. 1 wide receiver for the Broncos and Wilson is going to treat him as such. All of the Broncos’ wide receivers should have good numbers this season now that they have a quarterback who spreads the ball around and threatens the field with the deep ball, but Sutton is going to be the guy who eats the most.
Prediction: Sutton catches 80 passes
Receiving yards
Sutton will lead the team in yards as well. If he catches 80 passes (or more), he should go well over 1,000 yards on the season. Jeudy and Tim Patrick will each have good numbers as well as Wilson is going to distribute the ball to numerous targets in the passing game.
Prediction: Sutton will have 1,060 yards receiving
Receiving touchdowns
I’m tempted to give Sutton the clean sweep here but Patrick will be a solid option in the red zone and will lead the team in touchdown catches for the third year in a row. Jeudy didn’t catch a touchdown at all in 2021 so it would be great to see him find the end zone five times or better.
Prediction: Tim Patrick catches eight touchdown passes