2020 NFL Draft Profile: Alabama WR Jerry Jeudy

The Broncos need a receiver. We know it, they know it, and Elway has made sure the whole league is aware that he plans to address the group this spring. Fortunately, this upcoming Draft class looks historically loaded at the position.

With that in mind, why not go out and get the best receiver available in the entire draft?

Scouting Report:

• Very good athleticism.
• Elite ability to change direction.
• Elusive in the open field with a nasty dead leg to bait tackle attempts and ruin angles.
• Elite route runner.
• Knows how to throttle up and down to manipulate opponents.
• Creates separation unlike any collegiate receiver I’ve ever seen.
• Hands catcher who is adept at plucking ball from air.
• May need to improve form in traffic.
• Questions about play against press.
• Physical coverage may cause issues in route and at catch point.
• Disappointing Combine workout did not live up to tape.

What I’ve heard/read:

The Draft Network - Jordan Reid

Jerry Jeudy has all of the tools that it takes to become a No. 1 wide receiver. His route release package combined with his ability to create natural create separation is a recipe for a high-end prospect. His slight frame throughout will raise some question marks with his play strength, but the negative effects of it are masked because of his innate demonstrations of keeping his frame clean. A highlight reel waiting to happen after the ball is in his hands, his ankle flexion and ability to make defenders miss in open spaces are one of a kind. He makes would be tacklers constantly look as if they are grasping at air because he is a blur on yards after the catch opportunities.

PFF Draft Guide - Mike Renner

He may not look like Julio Jones or Amari Cooper from a body perspective, but Jeudy is every bit as good a prospect as those two coming out of Alabama

NFL Draft & Combine Profile - Jerry Jeudy | NFL.com

Mixes tight, crisp route-running with impressive top-end speed to keep secondaries on eggshells throughout the game. Jeudy is high-cut and a little leggy in his press release and short-area movements, but fluid hips and above-average agility prevent any stagnation. He’s a linear route specialist with a great feel for leveraging and then stemming defenders away from his food on intermediate and deep passes. The hands need work and contested catches will be much more challenging against bigger, faster matchups across from him. Jeudy can play inside or outside but offers a unique ability to both widen or lengthen the field from the slot. His transition from deep threat to volume target in 2019 should help sell teams on his ability to become a pro-Bowl caliber WR1 who can help his offense on all three levels.

The Rookie Scouting Portfolio (RSP)Matt Waldman’s RSP Boiler Room No.218: Story Time with WR Jerry Jeudy (Alabama)

Quality route running is a process of efficient and suspenseful story-telling. The defender, like many members of a story teller’s audience, knows the basic shape of the ending, but still suspends disbelief and gets sucked into the story despite seeing these plots play out over and over.

Why he fits

Jeudy played a little over 50% of his snaps in the slot at Alabama in 2019 and profiles as a Z-receiver with inside/outside versatilty. With Pat Shurmur’s affinity for 3-receiver sets that makes Jeudy an ideal number two alongside Courtland Sutton as he can bump down inside if the Broncos want to bring a boundary receiver like Tim Patrick onto the field or stay at the Z if they elect to play DaeSean Hamilton or a slot.

Additionally, Jeudy is a pro-ready route runner who should be able to seamlessly transition into a Shurmur offense that asks upon receivers to create space for themselves.

Final thoughts

I’ve debated Jeudy with Henry Ruggs and CeeDee Lamb as the top receiver in this class for more than a month now. Elway may not agree, but based on what I’ve seen from the Pat Shurmur offense over his time with the Vikings and Giants, there is little doubt in my mind that Jeudy is the best possible option.