Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
Before the NFL Scouting Combine, it was widely considered that Jerry Jeudy out of Alabama was the top wide receiver in the 2020 NFL Draft. He ended up achieving underwhelming results in the athletic testing portion and that seemingly has translated to a decline in perception.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com highlighted the fact that Jeudy ‘can play either inside or outside’ and has an ability to ‘both widen or lengthen the field from the slot.’ Zierlein believes Jeudy can be a ‘pro-Bowl caliber WR1’ at the NFL level that can ‘help his offense on all three levels.’
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 2019 season was truly impressive from Jeudy. He appeared in 13 games and totaled 77 receptions, 1,163 yards, and 10 touchdowns. The film and statistical output he achieved with Alabama has enabled lots of draft analysts to overlook his athletic testing results.
Jeudy stands at 6’1″, weighs 193 lbs, has 32 1/8″ arms, and has 9 1/2″ hands. In the athletic testing portion of the NFL Scouting Combine, he recorded a 4.45 40-yard dash, a 4.53 30-yard shuttle, a 35.0″ vertical jump, and a 120.0″ broad jump.
If Jerry Jeudy is available when the Broncos are on the clock, it would be difficult to turn down the opportunity of selecting him. He could form a versatile duo alongside Courtland Sutton that could help Drew Lock by setting the tone of the offense for years to come.
