The 2018 NFL Draft is rich in wide receiver talent throughout, but is SMU Mustangs prospect Courtland Sutton the best of the class?
The NFL offseason is fast approaching, and for some hardcore fans it is the most exciting part of the NFL — namely as it pertains to the NFL Draft. As the season comes to a close we’ll get to see how which NCAA standouts will rise and fall on draft boards across the web.
If you haven’t been watching college football then you’ll probably be like a dear in headlights when the combine rolls around trying to figure out who these players are. Well, one of the stocks you’ll see rise faster than Whole Foods is SMU standout wide receiver Courtland Sutton who has 31 touchdowns in the last three seasons.
But the question is, is he’s the best receiver in the 2018 NFL Draft? Put simply, yes; and here’s why.
Uses His Size to His Advantage
Sutton is listed at 6-4, 216 pounds on ESPN, and while the height and weight of some prospects can be exaggerated, when you see Sutton line up in front of defensive backs, he dwarfs them. However, unlike many other big receivers, Sutton’s stature doesn’t get in the way.
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He looks fast, powerful, and has great control of his body, which is what made guys like Mike Evans (Buccaneers) and DeVante Parker (Dolphins) top 15 picks. Sutton’s ability to use his body effectively is something that at least one NFL GM loves about him, despite his flaws, according to Sporting News. Here’s what he had to say:
"“What’s interesting about (Sutton) is that he is a big wide receiver and I like the way he uses his body,” he said, “but what I noticed is that when he needs to rise straight up — like vertical — he doesn’t get the ball very high. It kind of comes into him. Is that correctable? Is it a bad habit? I think you can correct it.”"
An underrated part of a wide receiver is his ability to block, and while there will never be another Hines Ward, Sutton imposes his will in the run game. When asked to block, he does a great job at imposing his will and driving defensive backs backward.
Another way Sutton uses his size to impose is will his after the catch, one of many examples came against Houston where he had 11 receptions for 16O yards.
Versatility
Oftentimes, guys with Sutton’s size don’t have the athletic ability to be dangerous threats — Sutton doesn’t have that problem. On film, he’s low to the ground when he runs his routes, which aids in his ability to get out of breaks suddenly.
Though he does have a long stride, he builds up speed in no time. When he has the ball in his hands, he shows good lateral quickness for a big-bodied receiver and doesn’t always look to run through tackles, which aids in his ability to rack those yards after the catch. Sutton’s so gifted that he’s not limited to a specific scheme — he’s not a “type” receiver. He’ll beat you over the top and underneath; just get him the ball.
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Though Sutton is a bit lighter, he compares to Brandon Marshall. A lot would have to go great for Sutton to have Marshall’s career, obviously. Still, his size, athleticism, tenacity and ability to run after the catch favors the six-time Pro Bowler. As the NFL Draft Big Boards start to roll in, Sutton should be a steady riser because he is, in fact, the best in the class.