Broncos Stock Report Risers Include Some Unfamiliar Names

The Denver Broncos once again showed their resilience against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, and their 26-21 win was characterized by some unfamiliar risers in the weekly stock report of Sam Jane of the Denver Post. 

Pat Bryant and Courtland Sutton, WRs

We haven’t seen a lot of receivers on this list, but that changed dramatically against Carolina when Jaylen Waddle went out early after suffering from a concussion. Several other receivers stepped out, and Jane picked out Bryant and Sutton as the two who mattered the most. 

Sutton’s effectiveness is essential to the Broncos’ offense. He consistently moves the chains, and occasionally he slips open on deep crossing route and makes a big play. Sutton’s size is also essential in the red zone, as it helps the Broncos dictate coverage options. 

He’s been over 50 yards receiving just once, and while he didn’t quite get there against Carolina, his five catches for 45 yards and a touchdown restored a vital cog in the offense that’s often been missing. 

As for Bryant, he might be the Broncos’ most reliable receiver when they get him the ball. His fundamentals are impeccable, and against the Panthers he had the longest reception of the day at 26 yards as he got 56 yards on four receptions. 

Justin Strnad, LB

Strnad had a rare bad game against the Arizona Cardinals last week, but he was the hidden factor in the Devon Key interception, as he knocked the ball away from Carolina tight end Tommy Tremble initially. That resulted in the tip that kept the ball in the air, and while Jane did point out that he might have gotten to Tremble a little early, but that play was a game-changer.

Que Robinson, LB 

Robinson’s playing time has dropped with Jonathon Cooper back in the lineup, but he’s making his snaps cound. He had three quarterback pressures in just 17 pass-rush snaps, per Jane, and he put Carolina rookie tackle Monroe Freeling back on his heels a couple of times. Progress tends to be small for players in Robinson’s position, but he’s making the most of his opportunities. 

Sean Payton, HC

Payton cut it about as close as you can on the vital challenge that produced the Key interception, but he trusted game management coordinator Evan Rothstein in a big situation and was rewarded with a game changing play. Payton would later say that he’s never seen a challenge that came that close to not happening, but he made the right call at the perfect time.