Broncos Training Camp: Courtland Sutton Looks Primed to Reach Previous Heights

The sixth-year wide receiver is enjoying a dominant training camp. Plus, more notes from Sean Payton’s first preseason in Denver.

New Broncos coach Sean Payton opened his news conference Wednesday by explaining why there had been an emphasis on special teams during the day’s workout.

He wanted to make sure his punt coverage and return teams were prepared for Friday’s preseason opener versus the Cardinals. That meant less of Russell Wilson on the field for the fans in attendance at Centura Health Training Center in Centennial, Colo., the location of my eighth stop during my nine-team training camp tour. Or it might have been Englewood, Colo. (Google and Apple Maps said differently.)

I’m not sure about the city, but I was there Wednesday morning, and I saw enough of Wilson to know he had a productive practice. According to the local beat reporters, Wilson has had a strong week of camp after a shaky start.

Here’s what I noticed about Wilson and his favorite target this summer.

Wide receiver Courtland Sutton has caught just four touchdowns over the last three seasons, but is a threat to record 1,000 receiving yards for the first time since 2019 :: Isaiah J. Downing/USA Today Sports

Best play I saw: There were many highlight plays from wide receiver Courtland Sutton, but let’s go with his downfield connection with Wilson near the right sideline. Sutton used his strength and 6'4", 216-pound frame to haul in the contested catch against safety P.J. Locke.

Sutton’s notable grab also started an impressive sequence from Wilson, who followed by rifling a quick pass to Jerry Jeudy down the left sideline for a catch-and-run play. On the next play, Wilson used his legs to escape the pocket, running up the middle to move the chains.

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Best thing I heard: The Broncos’ first unofficial depth chart of the year surprisingly had Adam Trautman, not Greg Dulcich, as the team’s starting tight end.

Payton explained that Trautman offers more versatility, but also added that he expects Dulcich and Chris Manhertz to be heavily involved with the offense.

“Adam is the one guy out here that he does a solid job at blocking,” Payton said. “He gives you flexibility within the route tree.

“It’s a multi-personnel game. It’s not like it used to be where you just lined up in 21 (two running backs, 1 tight end, two wide receivers) and your two-minute [offense] was in 21, and if there was a substitution it was a big deal. It’s much different and the same goes for defense.”

Trautman also has the advantage of knowing Payton’s offensive scheme because of their two seasons together in New Orleans. The Broncos executed a trade with the Saints during the draft to reunite them.

As for Dulcich, he had an impressive rookie season and offers more as a pass-catching tight end. He recorded 33 catches for 411 yards and two touchdowns last year.

The rookie who caught my eye: I was hoping to see more of wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr., but most of the targets went to Sutton and Jeudy.

But Mims, a second-round pick out of Oklahoma, also has an opportunity to make an impact as the team’s kickoff and punt returner. He clocked a 4.38 in the 40-yard dash during the combine.

Veteran who caught my eye: I know Sutton has been mentioned plenty in this camp report, but again, it was a light practice and the 2019 Pro Bowler had many highlight plays Wednesday morning.

“Courtland had a fantastic practice,” Payton said.

Payton recently told NFL Network that he sees similarities between Sutton and Michael Thomas, whom Payton helped develop into a star wide receiver with the Saints.

But Sutton has struggled to regain his top form since tearing his ACL during Week 2 of the 2020 season. Perhaps poor quarterback play the past two seasons are to blame for his modest numbers, but Sutton took some accountability for his stagnant play by changing his strength and conditioning routine this past offseason.

“I just feel good,” Sutton said. “I don’t really know how to describe that difference or that similarity [from 2019]. I just feel strong, my body feels good, and I’m going to continue doing what I’ve been doing , so that I can continue to have this ascending feeling that I have been feeling throughout camp.”

Sutton recorded 72 catches for 1,112 yards and six touchdowns during his memorable 2019 season. After missing most of the ‘20 season, Sutton averaged 61 catches, 802.5 receiving yards and two touchdown catches the past two seasons.

Nickname playlist: Songs with heavy bass.

A day after hearing nonstop music on Pete Carroll’s field in Seattle, the Broncos cut the music after individual drills, which is not surprising coming from a team coached by Payton. (He’s not a fan of bucket hats and sunglasses on the sideline during games.)

The Broncos played music to start practice, but I couldn’t tell whether the speakers were busted or they prefer instrumental music with booming bass. I think I might have heard beats for a few Migos songs, though.