In a world where numbers and analytics seem to dictate everything from MVP discussions to preseason rankings, it’s hard not to notice when a proven performer gets slighted. Such appears to be the case with Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton, who was recently left off a Pro Football Focus (PFF) list that many fans and analysts believe he had every right to be on. For a player who has been the very definition of consistent and clutch—despite dealing with quarterback turnover, injury, and offensive instability—the omission feels like a slap in the face to one of the league’s most underrated talents.
Sutton, a former second-round pick out of SMU, has been a staple in Denver’s receiving corps since entering the league in 2018. From the moment he stepped onto the field, his size, athleticism, and body control made it clear he was going to be a problem for opposing defensive backs. He broke out in his second season, catching 72 passes for 1,112 yards and six touchdowns in 2019, earning Pro Bowl honors despite playing with multiple quarterbacks. And yet, year after year, it feels like he’s fighting not just the cornerbacks in front of him, but also the national narrative that continues to downplay his production and impact.
That narrative took another blow when PFF released its latest wide receiver rankings and Sutton was nowhere to be found among the league’s top receivers. It’s not just that he was ranked low—it’s that he was completely ignored. No honorable mention. No justification. No recognition for being one of the most reliable red-zone targets in football. It’s baffling, especially when you consider the context of Sutton’s 2023 season.
While the Broncos were far from an offensive juggernaut, Sutton was a beacon of consistency. He hauled in 10 touchdown passes in 2023—ranking among the best in the NFL—and did so while catching passes from Russell Wilson in a system that was inconsistent at best. He made highlight reel catches week after week, including some jaw-dropping toe-taps along the sideline and contested grabs in the end zone that most receivers wouldn’t even attempt. Simply put, he was the Broncos’ most dependable weapon in a season that needed it desperately.
The disrespect from PFF seems to boil down to a narrow, analytics-driven viewpoint that fails to take into account the circumstances around Sutton’s performance. Their grading system, while often valuable, can be shortsighted when it doesn’t contextualize a player’s environment. Courtland Sutton wasn’t playing in a pass-happy offense like Tyreek Hill or Amon-Ra St. Brown. He wasn’t benefiting from a top-tier quarterback like Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen. He was grinding it out in a Denver offense that was still trying to find its identity, yet he still managed to make a massive impact.
Even with a limited number of targets compared to some of the league’s flashier wideouts, Sutton made the most of every opportunity. His 10 touchdowns came on just 59 receptions. That means he scored a touchdown roughly every six catches—an elite rate that should demand more attention. He also posted a strong contested catch rate and proved once again to be a physical presence that few defensive backs can outmuscle in 50-50 situations. Those stats, however, didn’t seem to carry much weight in PFF’s rankings.
There’s a frustrating pattern here that many fans in Broncos Country have grown used to: if it’s not flashy, it’s forgotten. Sutton isn’t the loudest guy in the room. He doesn’t do a lot of chest-pounding or headline-grabbing interviews. He just shows up and does his job at an exceptionally high level, week after week. Unfortunately, that seems to be exactly the kind of player that gets overlooked in a league increasingly driven by fantasy stats and social media highlights.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton has made no secret of his appreciation for Sutton. Even amid trade rumors, Payton remained adamant that Sutton was a core piece of the offense. In fact, when asked about the receiver’s role heading into 2024, Payton pointed to Sutton’s leadership, work ethic, and big-play ability as foundational traits for the team’s future success. If the Broncos’ coaching staff sees his value, and his teammates recognize his impact, why is it so hard for national analysts to do the same?
The slight from PFF could be brushed off as just one list in a sea of offseason content, but it speaks to a larger issue within the football media landscape. Too often, analysts become fixated on statistics without recognizing the real-world football factors that affect those numbers. Sutton isn’t just a product of raw production—he’s a tone-setter, a leader, and a difference-maker when it matters most. Leaving him off a list that claims to rank the best wide receivers in football isn’t just inaccurate—it’s insulting.
Let’s talk about value in tough moments. When the Broncos were sputtering early in the 2023 season, Sutton was often the spark. Whether it was a sideline grab to convert third and long, or a physical catch in the red zone, he showed up when Denver needed him most. In games against playoff-caliber teams, he made plays that kept the Broncos competitive. That’s something no spreadsheet or algorithm can fully capture. Clutch isn’t a stat—it’s a mindset, and Sutton has it in spades.
It’s not like this is an aging player living off reputation either. Sutton is still just 28 years old and entering what should be the prime of his career. He’s healthy, hungry, and motivated. And if recent reports are any indication, he’s also looking to be paid accordingly. Sutton skipped voluntary OTAs in pursuit of a revised contract—one that reflects his standing as a true WR1 in the NFL. If you’re a wide receiver with double-digit touchdowns and a history of production, why wouldn’t you want a deal that shows you’re valued?
This situation might even work in Sutton’s favor. Every great player has a chip on their shoulder at some point in their career. Sutton has been doubted before—coming out of college, overcoming an ACL tear in 2020, and now once again by being left out of the conversation entirely. History suggests he’ll use this as fuel. That’s bad news for opposing secondaries.
The Broncos may still be figuring out their quarterback of the future, but whoever is under center will know exactly where to go when the game is on the line. Courtland Sutton doesn’t need flashy press or over-the-top praise—he just needs the ball. And when he gets it, he delivers.
So here we are again: Sutton, overlooked, underestimated, and underappreciated by a metrics-driven system that doesn’t tell the whole story. But make no mistake—Broncos fans know what they have. Coaches know what they have. Opposing defensive coordinators know what they have to plan for. Eventually, the rest of the football world will catch up.
Until then, maybe it’s best for Sutton to stay under the radar. Because every time he’s doubted, he proves people wrong. And with another season approaching, don’t be surprised if Courtland Sutton once again reminds everyone—especially PFF—why he should never be left off a list of the NFL’s best wide receivers.
