We’re approaching the 2024 season. Every year, a few players seize on the right opportunity and surprise for fantasy players. The value comes from trying to predict who it will end up being this time of year and stashing them. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be looking at some 2024 sleeper candidates at each of the key fantasy positions: quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end. Hopefully, these are players you can acquire at a value that will propel you to fantasy glory.
The final receiver on my list hits close to home. I’m a Broncos fan, but I haven’t been in love with the offense the past few years. That’s the case in 2024, too, where there are questions at quarterback and in the backfield. In fact, the offense, in general, is something of a question. And yet, the best option for fantasy remains Courtland Sutton. The veteran receiver has been a stalwart for the Broncos’ passing game the past few seasons and figures to be the best option again in 2024.
The Case for Courtland Sutton
Sutton is the best veteran receiver for the Broncos, especially after the team moved on from Jerry Jeudy this off-season. In 2023, Sutton led the Broncos with 90 targets. He turned that into a team-leading 59 receptions for 772 yards and 10 touchdowns. In fact, he made a number of circus catches for scores that landed on the best plays of the year. All that helped him finish as WR35, the best among the Broncos, and a solid WR3 for fantasy.
The rest of the team didn’t have many reliable options. Jeudy was second on the team with 87 targets, and he’s now a Cleveland Brown. Among the rest, no one had more than 35 targets in the receiver and tight end group. Running back Samaje Perine was the third most targeted player for the Broncos with 58. Heading into 2024, Sutton not only returns as the best receiver for the Broncos, but he has even less experienced competition for targets.
The Case Against Courtland Sutton
The question isn’t Sutton or his talent; it’s the team itself. The 2023 season wasn’t great for the Broncos. The team struggled to an 8-9 record, throwing it just 513 times. Russell Wilson is now gone, but that doesn’t mean the passing game will be vastly improved. The team added veteran Zach Wilson and rookie Bo Nix, along with last year’s backup Jarrett Stidham. The fact is Sutton doesn’t have chemistry with any of them. In the final three games of last season, two of which Sutton missed all or most of with injury, he didn’t have much of a connection. He had just 1.2 fantasy points combined, catching just one pass for two yards from Stidham.
Additionally, the Broncos are re-making their attack. Second-year man Marvin Mims figures to step up, while the team added an interesting rookie in Troy Franklin, a veteran in Josh Reynolds, and welcomes back Tim Patrick, who missed the last two seasons with injury. That could make for a crowded group with an unsettled offensive pecking order. Sutton is the best and most talented receiver, but he isn’t guaranteed the biggest target share.
The Bottom Line
Sutton finished as WR35 and is going as WR49. That indicates that fantasy players have some concerns. Not only is the Broncos’ offense a question, but Sutton also isn’t a lock to stay in Denver. There have been persistent rumors he would be traded, which could happen before or during the 2024 season. A move to a new team could help or hurt Sutton as well. That leaves plenty of uncertainty. For my part, I don’t believe the Broncos will have a good offense in 2024. But I think Sutton will remain with the team and will be the top target. I like him as a good sleeper option that could return good fantasy value.
Matthew Fox is a die-hard NFL fan and Broncos’ homer. He’s a member of the FSWA. You can find more from him on Twitter @knighthawk7734 or as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast, a part of the Campus2Canton Network.
