Denver Broncos: Jerry Jeudy instantly becomes number two wide receiver

The Denver Broncos landed top wide receiver prospect Jerry Jeudy in the 1st round Thursday night, and expectations are for him to be a starter from day one.

For most of the 2020 NFL draft process, former Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Jerry Jeudy was considered the consensus top wide receiver prospect and a likely top-10 pick. However, on Thursday night, the Denver Broncos stayed put at pick 15 and were able to land the dynamic wideout. With limited depth behind Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy should be considered a lock to start the season as the number two wide receiver in Denver.

Heading into this offseason, the wide receiver position was considered a gaping hole for the Denver Broncos after John Elway traded perennial Pro Bowl wide receivers Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders in back to back seasons. Yet, John Elway was patient and addressed nearly every other weakness on the roster except for the wide receiver position. That move basically all but guaranteed which position the Denver Broncos were looking to address with their first pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Prior to the Jeudy selection, the Denver Broncos had a legitimate number one wide receiver, Courtland Sutton, and not much else. Former fourth-round pick DaeSean Hamilton has been inconsistent at best after joining Denver, and despite looking better after Drew Lock took over quarterbacking duties, projects as nothing more than an average slot wide receiver.

Former undrafted free agent Tim Patrick performed okay when given the chance (16 catches for 218 yards), but is a poor man’s version of Sutton and would be better suited for the number 3 or 4 spot on the depth chart.

Now, they have a fantastic compliment to star wide receiver Sutton and a perfect fit as a second option for second-year quarterback Drew Lock. At Alabama, Jeudy topped 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns in two of three seasons. At 6’1” and 193 pounds, he has good size and his combine performance confirmed the speed (4.45 40-yard second) and explosiveness (120-inch broad jump) we saw at Alabama that can make him a top wide receiver at the next level.

Given his talent and 2020 NFL Draft position, anything other than Jeudy starting the season as the number two wide receiver would be considered a disappointing start. Moreover, Jeudy’s arrival puts wide receiver’s Diontae Spencer, Juwann Winfree, and Fred Brown on notice as it’s unlikely Denver carries more than five wide receivers heading into the 2020 NFL season.