The Houston Texans game-plan to defend the Denver Broncos on Sunday starts with wide receiver Courtland Sutton.
Sutton, a second-year former SMU Mustang, has grown into a start in a Broncos offense that has seen three starting quarterbacks in 2019. At 6-4, 216-pounds with catch-it-all hands, improved route-running and jump-ball ability, the Brenham native is a nightmare to defend.
Sutton has grabbed 54 catches for 906 yards and six touchdowns through 12 games of 2019 play. His production should not come as a surprise to the Texans coaching staff, who scouted him heading into the 2018 NFL Draft.
“We looked at him a lot. I mean, 6-foot-4, 216 pounds. Very good player, very physical guy, can run routes,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said Wednesday. “The 50-50 ball is tough to defend with him. He’s really good at contested catches. So, yeah, he’s a very difficult challenge for us this week, no doubt.”
The Texans got a look at Sutton as a rookie in 2018. Then, he had three receptions for 57 yards in a Broncos loss. He’s a different player from that early November Texans win; a more developed one.
“You guys are seeing a person that is growing into his body,” said Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay to the Broncos media on Wednesday. “He understands his leverage and his body. You can tell that he went back for the summertime and really, really practiced his routes, which we all knew that’s what he wanted to do. Now you guys are seeing somebody that’s more comfortable and confident, and that’s going to continue.”
Last week, Sutton hauled-in four receptions for 74 yards and two touchdowns en route to a Broncos 23-20 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. If the Texans don’t want to emulate the Bolts, the will enter NRG Stadium on Sunday with a clear-cut plan on how to stop Sutton, No. 14.