Blinksportsnews247
The number of wide receivers available in NFL free agency is quite low. Thus, with the Pittsburgh Steelers still in need of a wide receiver, trade rumors have led commentators to link the team to a number of potential candidates. Wide receiver Courtland Sutton of the Denver Broncos was mentioned by Steelers Now’s Nick Farabaugh on April 12 as a potential trade target for the team.
The Broncos may be trying to return to the top of the draft board for the 2025 season; they are not in this to win it this year, according to Farabaugh. “However, Courtland Sutton fits the bill as the team’s desired big-bodied, contested-catch player when Mike Williams was targeted. He has the Russell Wilson profile.”
Sutton spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons with Denver as Russell Wilson’s teammate. In each of those two campaigns, Sutton had at least 59 receptions and 770 receiving yards.
Sutton led the Broncos in receiving touchdowns tallied in 2023 with ten. During his first five NFL seasons, he had only scored 14 touchdowns going into the previous one.
After Sutton’s initial contract expired in 2021, he inked a 4-year, $60.8 million extension. The agreement will remain in effect until the 2025 season.
Reasons the Steelers Might Trade for Wide Receiver Courtland Sutton
It makes sense that the Steelers could be considering Sutton. The lone receiver on Pittsburgh’s roster with more than 209 receiving yards in the previous campaign is George Pickens.
Van Jefferson and Quez Watkins were acquired by the Steelers following the trade of Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers. However, Watkins and Jefferson combined for just 351 receiving yards in 2023.
Sutton, if acquired by trade, could very well be the other starting wide receiver for Pittsburgh next season, splitting time with Pickens. Over his six NFL seasons, Sutton has averaged at least 700 receiving yards five times. In the one he didn’t, Sutton sustained an injury in Week 2 that ended his season.
During his second season in 2019, Sutton was selected to the Pro Bowl. He had six touchdowns and 1,112 receiving yards on 72 receptions that year.
His prior encounters with Wilson should only benefit the Steelers as well.
After cutting Wilson this offseason, the Broncos are in full rebuild mode and may be willing to part with Sutton. As Sutton will be 29 during the season, Denver’s long-term rebuilding plans probably do not include him.
In the event that the Broncos decide to trade Sutton, it might also be for a very low cost. This offseason, veteran wide outs haven’t brought much in on the trade market.
Other WR Trade Candidates the Steelers Might Consider
Since the major players have already signed free agents, the Steelers often have limited receiver options. However, Farabaugh listed Sutton among his five possible targets.
Additionally, Farabaugh suggested Treylon Burks, Tyler Lockett, and Brandon Aiyuk as potential receivers for Pittsburgh to deal.
The most well-known of the group is Aiyuk, but he’s also perhaps the most costly. Lockett has worked with Wilson before, just like Sutton. Being a former first-round pick who has struggled to maintain his health throughout his career, Burks is an intriguing player.
Farabaugh listed John Metchie or Robert Woods of the Houston Texans as the fifth choice. With the acquisition of Stefon Diggs, the Texans may leave with either.
I would argue that Sutton makes the most sense out of all those alternatives. Although he wouldn’t be as expensive as Aiyuk, he is more experienced than Burks and has more upside than Woods. Lockett provides those items as well, though it’s unclear if he will be accessible.
The Steelers might gain once more from Denver’s readiness to let go of a seasoned player.
Blinksportsnews247
