Denver Broncos: Re-Drafting the 2020 NFL Draft Class
While many were expecting the Denver Broncos to address the wide receiver position in the 2020 NFL Draft, many did not see the Broncos doubling up on the position in the first two rounds. As it stands today, there still are still people who disagree with this decision. There are also people who loved the decision when it happened and still do.
While I particularly was a fan of the Denver Broncos’ 2020 draft class, there are a few adjustments that I would make in hindsight.
In the 2020 draft, the Denver Broncos added starters at multiple positions and turned the wide receiver group into a strength when it had been a weakness since former Bronco stand-outs Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders were shipped out of town.
Cornerback Michael Ojemudia and center Lloyd Cushenberry were solid value picks as well, but what could have the Broncos done differently to improve this draft class?
Original 15th overall pick: Wide Receiver Jerry Jeudy, University of Alabama
Re-do 15th overall pick: Wide Receiver Jerry Jeudy, University of Alabama
With the 15th overall pick, the Denver Broncos selected Alabama Wide Receiver Jerry Jeudy. This pick was expected to be a wide receiver, it was just about which one of the crop it would be. With the Las Vegas Raiders selecting Henry Ruggs III, this helped Jeduy fall right into Elway’s lap.
During his rookie season, Jeudy showed his route running prowess shaking defenders left and right consistently. His ability to change direction, without slowing down is incredible. In his debut game in the Mile High City, vs the Tennesse Titans, he put that on display immediately.
His quickness and acceleration translated to the NFL, as many had projected. He finished the year with 52 receptions for 856 yards and three touchdowns with an average of 16.5 yards per reception. Jeudy was the most productive rookie from the 2020 class, and rightfully so as he was the team’s first overall selection.
With this pick, I was going back-and-forth on the decision to select Jerry Jeudy over star Justin Jefferson, but my ultimate decision came down to this — when a player is drafted, they are not drafted for what they are, but what they could be. Although Jefferson had a much better rookie campaign, I see Jeudy focusing on his deficiencies and drops (which his total of 9 was bad enough for second in the NFL), which would help propel him to a stellar sophomore season.
Jeudy’s ability to get in-and-out of breaks isn’t coachable, but drops are. His talent is rare and his raw ability to beat coverage is second to none. With a little bit of work with the jug machine and Wide Reciever coach Zach Azzanni, I predict a break-out season in 2021, that may even notch him a trip to the Pro-Bowl.