Courtland Sutton should be getting more looks in the red zone

The Denver Broncos rank 10th in red zone touchdown percentage, but the midday show says the Broncos still lack a go-to target near the goal line, and their best option in Courtland Sutton has barely been used.

The Broncos have been decent in the red zone this season. They rank 10th in the NFL with a 65.22% touchdown rate inside the 20, which is better than most of the offense’s numbers this year. What they don’t have is a clear first choice when the field shrinks and the game is on the line.

On a recent edition of “Dover and Cecil” on 104.3 The Fan, Josh Dover asked who that player should be.

“Who would you consider right now, today on November 6th, the Broncos’ best red zone weapon?” Dover asked.

Cecil Lammey answered with a question of his own.

“It should be Courtland Sutton right?” Lammey said.

The “should be” says a lot. For years, Sutton was the receiver Denver looked for near the goal line. This season the production hasn’t been there. Through eight games, he has 20 catches for 221 yards and one touchdown. Last week against Kansas City, he had 4 catches for 53 yards, his first 50-yard game of the year.

Lammey explained why Sutton is still the obvious answer.

“It should be Courtland Sutton because of his connection with Bo, because of his size. Because you can throw it up, a jump ball, and let the big man go get it,” Lammey said.

Size matters more in the red zone than anywhere else on the field. Close to the end zone, the field gets compressed, safeties don’t have to cover as much ground, and separation is harder to create. Speed is less useful, and a receiver who can win a contested ball becomes more valuable. Sutton is 6-foot-4 and has made a career out of catching passes with defenders draped on him. He also has the most history with Bo Nix of any receiver on the roster. Two-plus seasons together have built trust on the back-shoulder throws and fades that work best near the goal line.

There are reasons his numbers have dropped. Jaylen Waddle’s arrival changed the target distribution. Bo Nix hasn’t looked as comfortable passing downfield to begin the season, and Jonah Coleman has become a regular target out of the backfield. Earlier this season, Lammey argued the Broncos leaned on Sutton too much on third down last year and needed to spread the ball around. Joel Klatt predicted Sutton would have a better season because Waddle’s speed would draw attention away from him.

So far, that hasn’t happened, and Lammey thinks the red zone is where Denver can change it.

“I mean it should be Courtland Sutton, it just hasn’t been enough Courtland Sutton. We just got a taste last week. I want more Sutton,” Lammey said.

The Chiefs game showed what Sutton can still do. He looked like the reliable target Denver has known, and the offense put together its best fourth quarter of the season. Getting him involved near the goal line would give Nix a simple, high-percentage read in the area of the field where plays get decided quickly. It would also help a quarterback who has struggled with timing and pocket patience this year. A jump ball to a big receiver doesn’t require Nix to work through a long progression. It requires him to trust his guy and put the ball where only Courtland Sutton can get it.

The Broncos are 6-2 and in first place in the AFC, and their red zone numbers are already good. Lammey thinks they could be better if Denver makes Courtland Sutton its go-to option inside the 20 again.

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