Denver Broncos: 9 young players who must shine in 2021

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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 08: Jerry Jeudy #10 of the Denver Broncos makes a reception against Kendall Sheffield #20 of the Atlanta Falcons during the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 08, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Denver Broncos young players who must shine in 2021

3. Jerry Jeudy, WR

What everyone knew about Jerry Jeudy leading into the 2020 NFL Draft has proven to be an absolute fact: The dude can run routes.

Jeudy is as smooth as you will see when it comes to footwork, and he’s so good at running routes that people forget just how fast and how quick this guy is.

In week 16, Jeudy had his most difficult game as a professional. He dropped at least five passes, a couple of which could have been touchdowns and one that would have set the Broncos up for a game-tying field goal attempt.

Jeudy’s drop issues have hindered his all-around production in 2020 but leading into the team’s final game of the season, but he’s still caught 47 passes for 716 yards and a pair of touchdowns on the year.

Compare Jeudy’s stat line in 2020 with that of Courtland Sutton in 2018:

Jeudy: 47 receptions, 716 yards, 2 touchdowns, 44.3% catch percentage

Sutton: 42 receptions, 704 yards, 4 touchdowns, 50% catch percentage

It’s rare for wide receivers to produce in year one like we have seen from Justin Jefferson with the Minnesota Vikings, who has been head and shoulders above the rest of the vaunted 2020 class in terms of immediate production.

Broncos fans should be confident that Jeudy will be just fine, even as soon as the team’s week 17 matchup against the Raiders.

https://twitter.com/thecheckdown/status/1343326835136897024

Jeudy can win off the line of scrimmage against any cornerback in the NFL. Even some of the best of the best have had a difficult time containing him.

Getting open is not going to be the problem for Jeudy — making the majority of plays on balls that come his way? That’s currently where the Broncos need to see improvement.

Even still, Jeudy has dazzled as a rookie and he’s proven himself to be a cornerstone piece of the offense going forward.

Obviously, the Broncos want fewer drops from Jeudy going forward. He is simply too good of an all-around receiver to let drops be the reason he doesn’t have 80-100 catches and over 1,000 yards every season because that’s the type of player he is.

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