2018 NFL Draft Profile: Courtland Sutton
- Tyler Webb
- Jul 21, 2017
- 3 min read
Courtland Sutton, Wide Receiver, SMU
6’4, 215 Lbs, Senior 4.50 40 Yard
Courtland Sutton is one of the best returning seniors in this draft class, as he still would have been a first round draft choice if he declared as a junior. He is my favorite receiver in this class, with everything you would look for in a cornerstone wide out, and everything else you would look for as a standout leader. Sutton wasn’t an 5 star recruit coming out of high school like most NFL first rounders are. He was actually a 3 star recruit according to 247Sports, and wasn't even ranked in the top 100 wide receivers coming out of the 2014 high school class. But once former Clemson offensive coordinator Chad Morris was hired to become the new head coach for SMU’s football team, Sutton’s 3 star ranking would be transformed. Morris has coached, and molded plenty of NFL talent in his days at Clemson, with DeAndre Hopkins, Mike WIlliams, and Sammy Watkins just being a few. In 2015, Sutton rattled off nearly 50 catches for over 850 yard (over 17 yards a catch) and 9 touchdowns. He came back in 2016 with 76 catches for 1,246 yards and 10 touchdowns. With those numbers, it's no wonder scouts have said he looks better than Alshon Jeffery, and drawn comparisons to Laquon Treadwell and Mike Evans.
This 3 star recruit is being called the next Julio Jones, and has the highlights to back it up. Sutton has an elite ability to pinpoint the ball in the air, and snatch it out of the sky. He can catch the ball with a defender draped over him, and makes insane catch after insane catch. Last year he opened the season with 4 catches for 162 yards and 3 touchdowns. Each touchdown showed a different ability that Sutton would need to make it in the NFL. He was able to make a one handed grab in the corner of the end zone while having his defender called for pass interference as well. Next he was lobbed a pass in the end zone that had three defenders around him, and he still was the first person to grab the ball out of the air. His 3rd touchdown was an 88 yard post route that he caught at his 40 yard line, and took the pass to the end zone showing his play making ability.
Possible Landing Spots: 10th-20th
Arizona Cardinals - Courtland Sutton would be the Cardinals best option at replacing Larry Fitzgerald, as Sutton is the closest in size to Fitz in this draft class. Bruce Arians loves his receivers to have speed, but with J.J Nelson and John Brown still with the team, they have room to add a big target wide out.
Detroit Lions - The Lions already have Golden Tate and Marvin Jones as the lead receivers on the team, but neither have pushed ahead to be a lead receiver. Courtland Sutton could bring the big body target you need in a true number one receiver.
Philadelphia Eagles - Philly has plenty of talent in their receiving core, but with Alshon Jeffery and Jordan Matthews both being free agents, Sutton could provide an amazing safety pick for Wentz. The Eagles could let go of either player's own baggage and bring in another key building block in their young offense.
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