Mile High Monday: Expect big things for Sutton and Fant in 2020

The NFL has six plans in place to play the 2020 season according to the people in the league I talk to on a regular basis. With players like Ezekiel Elliott and Kareem Jackson testing positive for COVID-19, the NFLPA has urged all players to abstain from workouts in person. This has caused some fans out there to believe the season is in trouble. Nobody truly knows what is going to happen, but there is no doubt the NFL is preparing for all possibilities.

I like hearing about the league’s plans for the season, no matter what they must do to play the games we all are so urgently awaiting. Things may look different – really different – this season, but the league does plan to play. We’ll see which one of their plans they implement as the regular season gets here in the fall.

I also like contemplating life and sports when driving around with the top down on my old Jeep TJ! The following is a result of those trips during the week.

Buckle up, let’s take a ride through my thoughts.

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Dangerous Tight End

Broncos tight end Noah Fant’s 8.3 yards after catch in 2019 ranked 15th in the NFL and was the best mark among tight ends. Fant was known as a receiving weapon during his time in college at Iowa and those skills were able to translate into the NFL.

Fant is fast, and he is known as a “seam ripper” down the middle of the field. His speed makes it difficult for linebackers tasked with covering him to keep up on intermediate routes that can be turned upfield quickly for big plays. Fant’s size also makes it difficult for smaller and faster safeties to play him with much success.

The Broncos added Albert Okwuegbunam, a former college teammate of Drew Lock, in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. This move has caused some to question how the rookie will be used in tandem with Fant this season. Fant should still be the tight end, as a former first-round pick he will get every opportunity to prove that he’s the best option. Okwuegbunam is larger and a bit faster than Fant, plus he has great rapport with Lock. We’ll see both used in many ways this season.

Fant is a dangerous tight end, and getting pushed by a talented player like Okwuegbunam will only make him better.

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PI Magnet

Courtland Sutton has drawn 12 pass-interference penalties in coverage since 2018 – the second most in the league during that span according to Pro Football Focus data. These advanced numbers are no surprise to anyone who has watched Sutton play.

He is so big and so physical that defenders have no choice but to get physical with the big wide receiver. Sutton not only is strong, but he’s large and knows how to use his frame to box out smaller defenders. His long arms and large wingspan also help Sutton play “above the rim” and he can extend his arms to get a bit of a push off if need be.

With the added weapons in the passing game, specifically Jerry Jeudy and K.J. Hamler, this should lead to more one-on-one situations for Sutton on the outside. As Sutton continues to improve his chemistry with quarterback Drew Lock, we should see him post career-best numbers in 2020. Sutton should be able to achieve those highs this season while still getting interfered with early and often.

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Important Rotational Rookie

Broncos rookie defensive tackle McTelvin Agim will be part of a rotation on the defensive line this upcoming season, but defensive coordinator Ed Donatell said he expects Agim to provide interior pass rush on passing downs. His pass-rushing ability was one of the main reasons why I loved Agim’s game and felt the Broncos could have gotten a steal when they selected him in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Arkansas.

It’s rare for players as big as Agim (310 pounds) to have the movement ability that he possesses. It’s not only the way he moves quickly off the line of scrimmage, it’s the fact that Agim has six – yes SIX – moves to get after the passer. It’s not only the amount of moves that Agim has to make quarterbacks uncomfortable, but it’s also the fact that he knows how to stack moves quickly so if his first move doesn’t work he can quickly transition into a second move.

The Broncos have strong edge rushers in outside linebackers Von Miller and Bradley Chubb, but they need interior pressure to be a nightmare on defense. Agim may only be a part-time player, but the type of penetration he can get as a rusher will only make Chubb and Miller stronger on the outside. Adding Agim to go along with the trade for veteran Jurrell Casey shows how the Broncos understand that edge pressure is not enough. This team should be able to generate pressure from the inside – something that makes every quarterback in the league seem mortal.

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Happy Father’s Day!

On Sunday, I celebrated another Father’s Day and had a great time. I spent the day sitting in my backyard staring at the mountains and spending time with my kids. I had steak, chicken and pork roast smoking on the Traeger for hours. I don’t get a lot of time off, working three jobs and covering the NFL while also trying to write movies, draw comic books and – oh yeah – sleep, means days like Sunday are few and far between.

During the day, I also thought about my dad and the lessons he taught me. Growing up in the country taught me toughness that others don’t experience in that way. Country life is clean living, but it’s also a lot of work. This is one of the main reasons why I can work three jobs – all I know how to do is work.

In addition to work ethic, my dad also cared for me along the way. He was busy with working on the farm/ranch, but he would find time to play basketball with me on the dirt court outside our kitchen window. He would also give me tips on how to be a better football player as that is a sport he loves only second to rodeo. I cherish my memories that were made growing up, and I love seeing my dad when I get a chance to head back to the ranch.

Hope everyone out there had a great Father's Day! I learned so much from my dad, mainly how to be tough and work hard for what you want. I've taken the lessons he taught me and passed those on to my children….nothing more important to me than being the best father I can be! pic.twitter.com/sVSW7Xuysk

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) June 22, 2020

What did you do for Father’s Day? What were some of the best lessons learned from your dad? Hit me up on social media and let me know!

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