Bold predictions. Hot takes. They’re fun. But they’re not always helpful! We want to combine the entertainment value of bold takes with useful fantasy football information. Will these takes be spicy? Yes. Will they also be helpful as you prepare for fantasy football domination? That’s the goal. Let’s take a look at a hot take for 2022: Courtland Sutton will be this year’s Cooper Kupp.
Bold Prediction: Courtland Sutton Will Be This Year’s Cooper Kupp
“Courtland Sutton will be this year’s Cooper Kupp: a WR taken in the middle rounds who alters the tides of fantasy football leagues. His new quarterback, Russell Wilson, has always been an elite downfield passer — sixth-highest passer rating on throws of 20-plus air yards last season — which plays heavily into Sutton’s strengths as a vertical threat. The big-bodied fiend led the Broncos in red-zone targets in 2021 and led all WRs in target rate inside the 10-yard line in 2019. Wilson has an affinity for attacking receivers in the red zone; a Seattle WR has finished top-five in red-zone targets for three straight seasons. The Seahawks offense as a whole has finished top-five in red-zone TD conversion rate over the same time frame. Denver has never ranked higher than 21st since 2018. Simply put: The fit between Wilson and Sutton could not be better for 2022. ”
– Andrew Erickson
Courtland Sutton 2022 Fantasy Football Outlook
Entering Year 3, it looked like Courtland Sutton was on the cusp of true elite fantasy WR1 production, but his 2020 season was lost due to a torn ACL in Week 2. It was unclear how productive Sutton would be returning from the devastating knee injury.
But to start the 2021 season, the Broncos wide receiver looked like his old self. He averaged 13.8 fantasy points per game (17th) and had a 27% target share in Weeks 2-7 during the regular season.
It wasn’t until Jerry Jeudy‘s return from injury that Sutton – and the rest of the Broncos pass catchers – became obsolete in a crowded, run-heavy offense led by a combination of Lock/Teddy Bridgewater. Nevertheless, Sutton finished the season as the fantasy WR46.
However, even in the anemic offense, Sutton still finished seventh in air yards (1,756), cemented in between Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf, in 2021.
Sutton has a real chance to recapture his elite form another year removed from his ACL injury. It also helps substantially that he has received an ultra upgrade at the quarterback position with Denver’s trade for Russell Wilson.
Wilson has always been an elite downfield passer – he had the sixth-highest passer rating on throws of 20-plus air yards last season – which plays heavily into Sutton’s strengths as a vertical threat.
– Andrew Erickson
2022 Fantasy Football Staff Consensus Rankings
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