When it comes to drafting wide receivers for your fantasy football team, the mid-rounds can often feel like a minefield. Do you swing for the fences with a high-upside player who could boom? Or do you play it safe with a reliable target hog who might not have the same ceiling but offers a safer floor? This is the dilemma fantasy managers face when staring at the names Zay Jones and Courtland Sutton on their draft boards.
Both receivers possess intriguing skillsets and find themselves in potentially explosive offenses. However, their paths to fantasy relevance differ significantly, making the decision between Zay Jones Or Courtland Sutton a pivotal one for your draft strategy.
Deciphering the Zay Jones Enigma
Zay Jones has always been a bit of an enigma for fantasy purposes. Blessed with an impressive combination of size and speed, Jones has flashed moments of brilliance throughout his career. Yet, consistency has been his Achilles’ heel, leaving fantasy managers both intrigued and frustrated.
Zay Jones Catching a Pass
However, Jones’s fortunes took a significant turn after landing with the Jacksonville Jaguars and quarterback Trevor Lawrence. In 2022, Jones finally delivered on his potential, setting career highs in receptions (82), receiving yards (823), and touchdowns (5). While these numbers might not jump off the page, they demonstrate Jones’s ability to function as a legitimate WR2 in a potent offense.
Heading into 2023, the biggest question surrounding Jones is whether he can maintain, or even exceed, his production from last season. With Calvin Ridley now in the fold, there are concerns that Jones might regress to a WR3 role. However, the Jaguars’ offense is poised to be even more explosive this year, potentially offsetting any concerns about target share.
Courtland Sutton: Betting on a Return to Form
Unlike Jones, Courtland Sutton’s path to fantasy relevance seems more straightforward. Entering the league in 2018, Sutton quickly established himself as a big-play threat for the Denver Broncos. His combination of size, physicality, and contested-catch ability made him a nightmare for opposing defenses.
However, Sutton’s career took a detour after suffering a torn ACL early in the 2020 season. While he returned to action in 2021, it was evident that Sutton was not yet back to his pre-injury form. With the arrival of Russell Wilson, hopes were high for a bounce-back season in 2022. Unfortunately, the entire Broncos’ offense sputtered, leaving Sutton with a disappointing 64 receptions for 849 yards and only two touchdowns.
Courtland Sutton High-Pointing a Catch
Despite the down year, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about Sutton’s fantasy prospects in 2023. The Broncos brought in head coach Sean Payton, who has a proven track record of success with offensive-minded play-calling. Payton’s arrival should breathe new life into the Broncos’ stagnant offense, potentially unlocking Sutton’s true potential as a WR1.
The Verdict: Weighing Risk and Reward
So, who should you target for your fantasy team: Zay Jones or Courtland Sutton? The answer, as with most fantasy football dilemmas, depends on your risk tolerance and draft strategy.
Zay Jones represents the high-upside, high-risk option. If he can build on his 2022 campaign and carve out a significant role in the Jaguars’ high-octane offense, Jones could outperform his ADP and become a fantasy league-winner. However, there’s also the chance that Ridley’s arrival stifles his production, leaving fantasy managers with another year of inconsistency.
On the other hand, Courtland Sutton embodies the high-floor, lower-ceiling pick. While his 2022 season was underwhelming, the arrival of Sean Payton and the expected improvement of the Broncos’ offense suggest a return to form is imminent. Sutton’s ADP remains relatively affordable, making him a potential value pick with WR2 upside.
Ultimately, the decision comes down to your comfort level with risk. If you’re looking for a high-risk, high-reward play with the potential to win your league, Zay Jones is your guy. However, if you prefer a safer floor and a proven commodity with a clear path to WR2 production, Courtland Sutton is the more prudent choice.
