The Denver Broncos wide receiver is a potential replacement for Brandon Aiyuk, who the San Francisco 49ers could target.
When the team lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 7, Aiyuk tore both his ACL and MCL. San Francisco has suffered a terrible string of injuries, but they have little choice but to continue. The Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton is a name they have already been keeping an eye on if they wish to find a replacement for this season.
That move is as good as any at this point in the season, according to Mile High Sports writer Rich Kurtzman, who argued for Sutton.
“Trading for Sutton makes sense for the 49ers,” Kurtzman wrote on October 22. Receivers are desperately needed, particularly ones who can box out opponents with their bulk and keep Brock Purdy from making expensive interceptions.Although he has somewhat filled that role for the team this season, Jauan Jennings was sidelined last week due to—you guessed it—an injury.
It would seem obvious to trade for Sutton given that Jennings and fellow wide receiver Deebo Samuel are not fully recovered. However, San Francisco has just two weeks until the NFL trade deadline on November 5 to make the transaction.
Sutton Is Unique in the Broncos
The first thing to note is that Sutton has a respectable injury history. Aside from 2020, when he tore his ACL, he has only missed three games in his career. Sutton is also a seasoned wide receiver who could at least cover for Aiyuk.
During the 2019 season, Sutton had a breakout season with 72 receptions, 1112 receiving yards, and six touchdowns. Despite not matching those marks in recent years with the Broncos, the former second-round pick has shown remarkable consistency in the years after his injury in 2020.
The former SMU player has recorded 772 receiving yards or more in each of the previous three seasons. Additionally, during that time, he has averaged 13.2 yards per reception.
The 49ers may find the contract amounts too high, despite the fact that the statistics are good.According to Sporac, the 29-year-old will only have a $7.86 million cap hit in 2024, but in 2025, that amount will soar to $20.18 million.
Earlier this year, the 49ers did not make a trade for Sutton.
Earlier in the year, San Francisco was prepared for life without Aiyuk, but they weren’t put off by Sutton’s pay increase. The 49ers were prepared to acquire Sutton and sell Aiyuk to the Pittsburgh Steelers, as reported by Dianna Russini of The Athletic in late August.
“The 49ers would only consider trading Brandon Aiyuk if they could acquire a top-tier wide receiver to take his place,” Russini posted on X. The Broncos turned down their offer to trade Aiyuk to the Steelers after offering Denver a third-round pick in exchange for Courtland Sutton. He remains in San Francisco, therefore.
Aiyuk soon signed a four-year contract worth $120 million. It might be challenging to include Sutton’s deal in the mix given that contract being in place. That kind of move, however, might be necessary if the Niners hope to revive their offense and possibly preserve the season.
For Heavy.com, sports journalist Evan Reier covers the NFL, specializing on the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys. He used to be a managing editor at Outsider and a sports reporter for the Montana Standard.Further details regarding Evan Reier
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