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Was Jerry Jeudy the right draft pick for Denver Broncos?

By Nicholas Manning

Dec 27, 2020; Inglewood, California, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (10) drops a pass while defended by Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Michael Davis (43) in the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2020; Inglewood, California, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (10) drops a pass while defended by Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Michael Davis (43) in the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Antoine Winfield Jr., Denver Broncos 2020 draft option
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 20: Calvin Ridley #18 of the Atlanta Falcons catches a pass against Antoine Winfield Jr. #31 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the fourth quarter in the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 20, 2020, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Do Broncos go secondary instead of Jeudy?

Option A – Antioine Winfield Jr.

With the uncertainty in the defensive backfield long term, the Broncos could have gone a variety of ways. Antoine Winfield Jr. is a direction I would have really liked them to look. Winfield Jr. is a smaller safety (5-10, 203 pounds) but brings versatility this defense desperately needed.

Winfield has been a plus defender each year at Minnesota before being drafted with the 45th selection by Tampa Bay.

His ability to play all over the field would have fit nicely next to Justin Simmons, or been a nice replacement if the Pro-Bowler leaves after the 2020 season.

Option B – Jeremy Chinn

With the pick at 64, the Carolina Panthers got an absolute steal. Jeremy Chinn has been nothing short of amazing in his first season. Chinn, the nephew of Broncos Hall of Fame safety Steve Atwater, has a lot of the physical traits his uncle has.

Chinn’s size (6-3, 221 pounds), reminds many of us of Number 27, ad his ability to play in the box also brings Broncos Country flashbacks of yesteryear.

However, Chinn is his own player and brings ground-covering skill this defense could use next to Simmons on the back end.

Additionally, Chinn has lined up in the box at linebacker, so his ability to provide the defense with what it needs could come in a variety of ways.

Chinn would have looked phenomenal in Organe and Blue.

Options C and D – Cornerback

Jaylon Johnson, a cornerback from the University of Utah was selected with pick 50 but could have been selected earlier. He brings size (6-0, 193 pounds) along with the fluid cover skills necessary to shut down opposing receivers.

Cornerback was an issue going into the 2020 draft and remains an issue the Broncos could have addressed this position early in round 1.

Trevon Diggs is a big-bodied corner (6-1, 205 pounds) who brings strength and speed to the position.

Diggs has played well for a poor Dallas Cowboys defense after being selected in round 2 of the 2020 draft.

Diggs has three interceptions and 12 passes defended on the season, which would rank above most Bronco defenders this season.

It’s hard not to think about how different this season could be with improved cornerback play.

Verdict

Winfield and Chinn would have been really nice chess-pieces for this Broncos defense that served well beyond 2020. Both players bring versatility and playmaking ability this team just doesn’t have right now.

Johnson has shown flashes, but not the production to warrant a top-15 selection. His play has been up-and-down and may not have offered the Broncos a true upgrade at the cornerback position.

Diggs however has been more than the Cowboys could have asked for. His ability to match up with top receivers has been promising as their defense truly struggled without him. Diggs might have been exactly what this defense needed.

However, neither player is as good as Jeudy is now, nor do they have the upside long-term.

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