Courtland Sutton vs Justin Herbert

“Sutton continued to be the preferred target in Denver last year, giving him remarkably similar numbers as he put up in 2024. He was also still involved in the red zone, as he scored seven touchdowns.”

“The arrival of Jaylen Waddle will change that this year. Sutton still can be a highly productive player in a pass-happy offense, but he’ll take a backseat to Waddle.”

“Currently a low-end wide receiver four in dynasty rankings, which one analyst views as roughly correct given a notable new teammate addition that’s already graded out clearly ahead of Sutton across nearly every efficiency category, including team yardage share, yards per route run, air yards share, and contested catch rate.”

“Jason got his second stack in a row, adding Courtland Sutton with this ninth pick.”

“Broncos WR Courtland Sutton said the team has a great skill-position group and that the tight end room pulls its weight as well. "We have the weapons in our room," Sutton said. "I don't like the bashing of our tight end room, I'm going to say that publicly. I think they do their job really well, they do what's asked of them to a high level."”

“Courtland Sutton (11th in total WR points last year) is going for an average auction value less than their projection.”

“The Broncos needed a second option behind Courtland Sutton in the wide receiver room. Instead, they elected to put substantial draft capital into trading for Jaylen Waddle, who arguably is their No. 1 WR moving forward. Sutton has largely kept himself fantasy-relevant through touchdowns over the last few years, with 25 over the last three seasons, the sixth-most in that period. Should Waddle eat into those opportunities, it could prove tricky for Sutton to return value at this price.”

“Sutton needs to show that sharing is caring. Denver needed another explosive option, but they still need a player who can win physically. Sutton should benefit from a better ecosystem, as Waddle can pull coverage away from him and create more space for the throws Sutton already wins on, though he may lose some raw target ceiling while the quality of his looks will improve.”

“Courtland Sutton is a sell-high candidate now that Jaylen Waddle has arrived in Denver to command the majority of target shares in Sean Payton's offense. While Sutton has been a reliable staple, he is entering his age-31 season with a bloated contract that makes him a likely cap casualty or trade piece in the near future.”

“Courtland Sutton was selected at WR for 4,200 and was rostered at 3% ownership in the DraftKings NFL Million Dollar Winning Lineup for 2018 Week 13.”

“Top cap hit: Courtland Sutton, $13,975,000 (4.64 percent)”

“The Broncos extended Courtland Sutton last year and have seen him post back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with Bo Nix at the controls.”

“Justin Herbert (LAC) Over the first three years of his NFL career, Justin Herbert averaged 287.5 passing yards and 1.9 TD passes per game.”

“With a healthier OL in 2026, Herbert can flirt with elite fantasy QB status. Five games with Joe Alt in 2025: Hebert averaged nearly 24 PPG (23.9). Twelve games without Alt? 16.2 PPG.”

“The only other top-24 picks to match their ADP in overall finish were Prescott, Justin Herbert , Goff, Nix, Love, and Allen.”

“Even so, Johnston remains attached to an ascending offense with Justin Herbert and should maintain a full-time role entering 2026.”

“In superflex, those same cutoffs jump significantly, to Justin Herbert and Dak Prescott for a true QB1, since a real starter is required rather than a streaming option.”

“Justin Herbert leads the NFL in yards per scramble (9.4) over the past two seasons. 80 scrambles for 750 rushing yards.”

“And it’s not even the biggest difference in this group — that honor goes to Justin Herbert , which you already know if you took my advice in the intro and read my previous ESPN values article .”

“Justin Herbert over Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes is expected to age well, but Kansas City’s offense hasn’t looked like it did earlier in his career, ranking 22nd in yards per play over the last two seasons. Herbert’s overall trajectory is viewed as pointing up.”

“Herbert went through the wringer in 2025. Rashawn Slater missed the entire season. Joe Alt only appeared in six games. He closed out the year with a broken left hand, finishing with a career-high 54 sacks. That was the third-most sacks taken in the league behind Cam Ward (55) and Geno Smith (55).”

“Justin Herbert has an ADP of QB9 and is going in the back half of the seventh round. Herbert was the QB10 last season despite playing behind a shabby, injury-riddled offensive line that allowed him to be sacked 54 times. His offensive line should be healthier and better, and the arrival of offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel could help unlock the sort of big passing numbers that Herbert produced in his first three seasons.”

“Justin Herbert, predictably, played much better with Alt on the field last year. His EPA per dropback with Alt on the field would have been the highest among qualified quarterbacks last year if he had produced it over the entire season.”

“Justin Herbert rebounded last year from a down 2024 season, finishing as the QB10 overall in '25. He was used as a rusher frequently last season, posting a career-high 498 rushing yards.”