Courtland Sutton enters the 2026 NFL season as the Broncos’ veteran wide receiver and red-zone specialist after back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns, including seven receiving touchdowns in 2025. The March trade for Jaylen Waddle introduces meaningful target competition, shifting Sutton toward a 1B role while he retains starting status and captaincy on the unofficial depth chart. Load-management protocols limited his training-camp reps to preserve freshness for the 30-year-old. Sean Payton’s offense continues to feature Bo Nix at quarterback, with Sutton expected to see concentrated looks near the goal line despite a more distributed passing attack that includes Marvin Mims and emerging options like Pat Bryant. Durability and scheme fit remain central to his touchdown outlook.