Ex SMU Star Makes Half of One of NFL's Best WR Duos

Former SMU standout Courtland Sutton continues to earn recognition as one of the NFL's most reliable wide receivers, and heading into the 2026 season, expectations remain high for the Denver Broncos veteran.

CBS Sports recently ranked the league's top wide receiver tandems and placed Denver's pairing of Sutton and offseason addition Jaylen Waddle at No. 6 overall.

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The ranking highlights just how dangerous the Broncos' passing attack could become with Sutton's proven production complemented by Waddle's game-breaking speed.

For SMU fans, Sutton's inclusion among the NFL's elite is another reminder of the remarkable career he has built since leaving Dallas.

The former Mustang has developed into one of the league's most dependable pass catchers, earning multiple Pro Bowl selections while serving as Denver's top receiving threat.

Last season, Sutton eclipsed the 1,000-yard receiving mark once again, hauling in 74 receptions for 1,017 yards and seven touchdowns.

He also found the end zone during the Broncos' run to the AFC Championship Game, further cementing his status as quarterback Bo Nix's favorite target.

After finishing with over 1,000 yards in his second season, Sutton had four years in a row where he didn't reach that mark.

But now with Nix at the helm, he has reached 1,000 in both seasons with the former Oregon Duck throwing him the ball.

Now, Denver hopes adding Waddle to the offense will make life even easier for Sutton.

Defenses will no longer be able to focus all of their attention on the former SMU star, as Waddle brings elite speed and big-play ability after arriving in a blockbuster offseason move that saw the Broncos sending three draft picks to the Dolphins.

The ranking places Denver behind only a handful of star-studded receiver pairings around the NFL, including the Bengals, the Cowboys, the Rams, the Lions, and the Vikings.

That company speaks volumes about how highly Sutton continues to be viewed entering his ninth professional season.

Sutton first made his name at SMU, where he emerged as one of the nation's top receivers before becoming a second-round NFL Draft pick in 2018.

His combination of size, athleticism, and ball skills made him one of the most decorated receivers in program history, and those same traits have translated to sustained success in the NFL.

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As the Broncos look to take another step toward Super Bowl contention, Sutton remains at the center of the offense.

For SMU fans, seeing one of the program's all-time greats continue to receive national recognition is another testament to the lasting impact he has made at both the collegiate and professional levels.