Did Broncos admit mistake with DT deal in drafting Courtland Sutton?

With its second pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos selected Courtland Sutton, a big-bodied wide receiver out of SMU whom the team had a first-round grade on and snagged him at pick 40.

“Stokley and Zach” co-host Brandon Stokley said on Monday that Denver couldn’t afford to pass up Sutton after he slipped into the second round, not only because he adds “juice” to an offense that needs it but also because he profiles as a replacement for Demaryius Thomas.

“If Courtland Sutton turns out to be a really good receiver, there in the second round, then all of a sudden in a couple of years you have your replacement for D.T. and Emmanuel (Sanders),” Stokley said. “That’s what you needed to do because you look behind those guys right now and there’s not a lot.

“Who’s going to take over? Because, soon or later, you’re going to have to move on from those guys. And it’s going to be coming up real quick.”

And Stokley believes sooner could mean after this next season for either Sanders or Thomas or both.

“Sutton can certainly turn into a very potent No. 1 wide receiver, even though he might be categorized as a possession guy,” Mike Pritchard, co-host of “Pritchard and Cecil,” said on Monday.

But, if the Broncos could have walked away from Thomas in March, is the team admitting a mistake in drafting Sutton?

“They made a mistake with Demaryius Thomas if they really love Courtland Sutton,” DMac, co-host of “The Drive,” said on Monday. “Now, they’re stuck.”

Alfred Williams, DMac’s co-host, echoed the sentiment.

“He should be your guy,” Williams said, referring to Sutton. “What a mistake, man. (Thomas is) going to get pushed. This kid’s going to push him, but …”

Denver picked up a $4 million option on Thomas in March, triggering the final two years on his contract, which will net the base salaries of $8.5 million and $14 million in 2018 and 2019, respectively, per Spotrac.com.

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