Denver Broncos’ star wide receiver Courtland Sutton has been the subject of trade rumors for several months. But at this time, it looks like the AFC West club is keen on keeping one of their top offensive play-makers as they look to end an eight-year playoff drought in 2023.
Of course, things could always change if GM George Paton gets an offer he can’t refuse. Could such an offer come from one of the Broncos’ old AFC rivals?
Bleacher Report’s Maurice Moton proposed five blockbuster trade ideas that would shake up the 2023 NFL playoff race. One of Moton’s proposals had the Broncos sending Sutton to the New England Patriots in exchange for a 2024 second-round draft pick:
“Assuming the Broncos stand pat on the compensation for (Jerry) Jeudy and Sutton but remain open to offers, the latter seems like a more realistic trade option because a second-round pick isn’t much for a receiver-needy team in win-now mode…
If the Patriots strike out with (DeAndre) Hopkins, who’s a big-bodied 6’1″, 211-pounder, they can turn their focus to Sutton, who’s also a big pass-catching target at 6’4″, 216 pounds…In the AFC East, the Patriots need to keep pace with two rivals that made the playoffs last season and the Aaron Rodgers-led New York Jets.”
The Patriots’ wide receiver depth chart is headlined by free agent signing JuJu Smith-Schuster, 2022 trade acquisition DeVante Parker, veteran Kendrick Bourne, rookie Kayshon Boutte and 2022 second-round pick Tyquan Thornton. They also have one of the game’s top tight end combos in Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki.
Those are all solid options, but none of them have proven themselves as a true WR1. Sutton, on the other hand, has one 1,000-yard season (in 2019) under his belt. He also finished 2022 with 64 receptions for 829 yards and two touchdowns. If Sutton hadn’t missed two games, he could’ve very well hit 1,000 yards for the second time in his career.
Sutton would undoubtedly make New England’s offense better. But will they make the call, and will the Broncos actually look at dealing their stalwart wideout? Stay tuned.
