5 sleeper NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year candidates

1. Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos

Sutton enters his first NFL season as the Broncos’ second-round draft pick looking to make some serious noise, which he already has in the preseason. Denver head coach Vance Joseph has to be been more than happy with what he sees from Sutton so far in camp.

Although the Broncos already have Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, Sutton has the size, ball skills and potential to flourish as an impactful outside receiver as a rookie. He is a natural outside receiver whereas Sanders can serve as a versatile piece who moves inside and outside with his small frame, quick feet, and excellent routes.

Also, with quarterback Case Keenum being newly-acquired, no one player has been established as the go-to receiver yet, giving Sutton an equal chance to command that role.

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Sutton is 6-foot-3 weighing close to 220 pounds and knows how to go up and catch the football. He has mastered the ability to control his body while in the air and snag the ball at its highest point. With Demaryius Thomas likely garners most of the attention from opposing defensive backs, watch for goal line fades and slants to be thrown a lot in Sutton’s direction.