Despite salary-cap concerns, it appears the Denver Broncos will keep star wide receiver Courtland Sutton.

“Sutton has two more non-guaranteed years of $13.5M and $14M left on his contract. He is expected back,” wrote longtime Denver sportswriter Mike Klis. “The question is, will Jerry Jeudy or someone else be his lead partner? Jeudy has been in trade discussions both in March 2023 and at the midseason trade deadline last October but all offers were rejected.”

Sutton — a former Pro Bowler — would attract more trade partners than Jeudy. Last season, he tied for third in the league in receiving TDs (10) and logged 59 receptions for 772 yards in 16 games. Jeudy, meanwhile, had two receiving TDs in 16 games.

OTC estimates the Broncos are $16.8M over the cap. Also, they’ll probably release quarterback Russell Wilson with a post-June 1 designation and incur $85M in dead money over the next two seasons. Trading Sutton with a post-June 1 designation would save $13.5M in cap space.

Denver can’t afford to lose a dependable pass-catcher, however. The Broncos finished 24th in the league in passing yards (191.9) last season and 26th in receptions (337).

The Broncos have the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. According to Tankathon, they’ll take Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy. To succeed in Denver, he’ll need productive targets like Sutton.

The franchise should find more offensive playmakers, but holding on to the 28-year-old is a good idea. The Broncos haven’t made the playoffs since 2015 and have posted seven straight losing seasons.