There aren’t many wide receivers remaining in NFL free agency. So with the Pittsburgh Steelers still needing an addition at wideout, pundits have connected the team to several different options through trade rumors. On April 12, Steelers Now’s Nick Farabaugh named Denver Broncos wideout Courtland Sutton a possible trade target for the Steelers.
“The Broncos are not in this thing to win it this year; in fact, they might be looking to try to bounce to the top of the draft board for the 2025 season,” Farabaugh wrote. “But Courtland Sutton has the Russell Wilson and profiles as the contested catch, big-bodied guy that the team was looking to add when Mike Williams was targeted.
Russell Wilson and Button were teammates in Denver in 2022 and 2023. In each of those two campaigns, Sutton had at least 59 receptions and 770 receiving yards.
Sutton led the Broncos in receiving touchdowns tallied in 2023 with ten. During his first five NFL seasons, he had only scored 14 touchdowns going into the previous one.
After Sutton’s initial contract expired in 2021, he inked a 4-year, $60.8 million extension. The agreement will remain in effect until the 2025 season.
Reasons the Steelers Might Trade for Wide Receiver Courtland Sutton
It makes sense that the Steelers could be considering Sutton. The lone receiver on Pittsburgh’s roster with more than 209 receiving yards in the previous campaign is George Pickens.
Van Jefferson and Quez Watkins were acquired by the Steelers following the trade of Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers. However, Watkins and Jefferson combined for just 351 receiving yards in 2023.
Sutton, if acquired by trade, could very well be the other starting wide receiver for Pittsburgh next season, splitting time with Pickens. Over his six NFL seasons, Sutton has averaged at least 700 receiving yards five times. In the one he didn’t, Sutton sustained an injury in Week 2 that ended his season.
the 2019 Pro Bowl in his second season. He had six touchdowns and 1,112 receiving yards on 72 receptions that year.
His prior encounters with Wilson should only benefit the Steelers as well.
After cutting Wilson this offseason, the Broncos are in full rebuild mode and may be willing to part with Sutton. As Sutton will be 29 during the season, Denver’s long-term rebuilding plans probably do not include him.
Should the Broncos elect to unload Sutton, it could be at a very affordable price too. Veteran wide receivers haven’t fetched much on the trade market this offseason.
Other Potential WR Trade Candidates for Steelers
Receiver options are generally limited for the Steelers since the big stars have already signed in free agency. But Farabaugh named five potential targets including Sutton.
Farabaugh also proposed Brandon Aiyuk, Tyler Lockett, and Treylon Burks as possible receiver trade candidates for Pittsburgh.
However, he is perhaps the most costly as well. Lockett has worked with Wilson before, just like Sutton. Being a former first-round pick who has struggled to maintain his health throughout his career, Burks is an intriguing player.
Farabaugh listed John Metchie or Robert Woods of the Houston Texans as the fifth choice. With the acquisition of Stefon Diggs, the Texans may leave with either.
I would argue that Sutton makes the most sense out of all those alternatives. Although he wouldn’t be as expensive as Aiyuk, he is more experienced than Burks and has more upside than Woods. Lockett provides those items as well, though it’s unclear if he will be accessible.
The Steelers might gain once more from Denver’s readiness to let go of a seasoned player.
