Is Jerry Jeudy part of the problem or the solution for the Broncos?
Feb 18, 2022, 6:58 AM
Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy is one of the most misunderstood players on the team. Whether it’s media or fans, Jeudy seems to draw the ire of Broncos Country for a few reasons.
Some don’t like his posting on social networking with great frequency when he’s frustrated. Some don’t like that he’s dropped too many passes. Others look at what Justin Jefferson has done from day one as a superstar in this league and wonder why Jeudy – who was drafted ahead of Jefferson – hasn’t reached the same heights.
These opinions have led some to call Jeudy a bust after just two pro seasons. Nothing could be further from the truth.
While Jeudy has not transformed into a star at the pro level, the potential for him to do so is still there. He’s not without blame for his lack of production, but I’m willing to give Jeudy one more season to prove that he can be the player the Broncos thought he could be when they selected him in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
So, is Jeudy part of the problem or can he be part of the solution with the Broncos? Let’s take a look.
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Better Offense
It’s not difficult to project the Broncos for a better offense in 2022 under new head coach Nathaniel Hackett. The Broncos offense was frankly inept under former offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur. To make things worse, former head coach Vic Fangio barely paid attention to that side of the ball. The Broncos have a lot to change, and the offense should look vastly different in 2022.
The West Coast concepts Hackett brings to the table will set up the offense to produce at a high level. First, the offense will spread the ball around much more than we’re used to over the last few years. I wouldn’t be surprised to see three or four skill position players get 40-plus, maybe even 50-plus catches this upcoming season. Spreading the ball around is a tenet for the Hackett offense, whether it was with the Buffalo Bills (OC 2013-2014), Jacksonville Jaguars (OC 2016-2018) or Packers (2019-2021).
Next, the play-action passing in the West Coast offense will mean players have more time to get open. Under Shurmur, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater would go through his progressions on time – and rather quickly with the rhythm of the offense. In the Hackett system, the quarterback will be able to set up with a play fake and a deeper drop (or a rollout) where receivers get more time to work their defenders. Jeudy can get open, but he doesn’t get open quickly enough for the old system. Give him more time to “shake and bake” defenders off the line, then he’ll be more open.
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Improved QB Play
In addition to having a better system, the Broncos are likely to upgrade their quarterback position – somehow, someway – this offseason. That could be a trade for Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson, maybe Deshaun Watson. Those three are the upper echelon of the quarterbacks who could potentially be added via trade. Yes, Kyler Murray would be in this category as well, but he’s not a West Coast quarterback and adding him via trade would mean a massive shift in philosophy for Hackett.
The previous working relationship that Hackett and Rodgers have makes a lot of people think the Broncos could pull off a deal for the back-to-back MVP. Rodgers already knows the system, and he would be the best quarterback the Broncos have had since Peyton Manning was here. By a mile.
Like Manning, Rodgers has one Super Bowl title and four MVPs with the team that drafted him. Perhaps Rodgers could come to Denver like Manning did in 2012 and win another Super Bowl. In fact, if Rodgers is here, I’m immediately putting the Broncos in the Super Bowl conversation – that’s the type of major impact adding Rodgers would make on this team.
Jeudy is not lazy. I’ve seen him work hard in practice on a regular basis. I’m sure Jeudy would be challenged by Rodgers in the same way that Demaryius Thomas was challenged by Manning in 2012. Thomas responded and took his game to a different level. While Thomas and Jeudy are different types of receivers, I can see the correlation.
Thomas was a talented first-round receiver who had 54 catches in his first two seasons (21 games, seven starts). In his first season with Manning throwing him passes, Thomas exploded onto the scene with 94 catches, 1,434 yards and 10 touchdowns. I could see a similar type of explosion for Jeudy – especially if Rodgers is his quarterback.
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Third-Year Leap
Today the NFL is a pass-happy league more than ever before. We see receivers like Jefferson (2020) or J’Marr Chase (2021) come into the league and become instant superstars. It happens, but in NFL history some wide receivers take three years to get going in the league. College offenses are so different from the pro game, and it takes time for receives to get used to the route-running skill, speed and discipline they need to excel in the pros.
You can look at Thomas and see the third-year leap. He came into the league back in 2010, but there’s a more recent example – and he may be the best receiver in the game. Cooper Kupp, Super Bowl LVI MVP, took three years to get going at a high level in the pros. A third-round pick out of Eastern Washington in 2017, Kupp only had 102 catches over his first two seasons (compare that to the 90 catches Jeudy has had in his first two seasons). In 2019, Kupp strutted his stuff with 94 catches for 1,161 yards and 10 touchdowns. Again, Jeudy is not Kupp – but look at the third-year leap.
How about another superstar receiver who took three years to get going? Look no further than Rodgers favorite target with the Packers – Davante Adams. He was a second-round pick out of Fresno State in the 2014 NFL draft, and in his first two seasons Adams had 88 catches and four touchdowns – again compare that to the 90 catches and three touchdowns from Jeudy. I will reiterate that Adams and Jeudy are not the same type of receiver, but Adams turned into the man in year three with Rodgers tossing him the rock (75 catches, 997 yards, 12 touchdowns).
Whether it was Herman Moore or Marvin Harrison years ago, or superstars like Kupp and Adams, a third-year leap is something many wide receivers make.
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Summary
It’s too soon to call Jeudy a bust. There is no receiver on the Broncos roster than can do what Jeudy can do in terms of route-running ability. There’s a chance that Jeudy will become the preferred target in this offense, and what a turnaround that could be.
The Broncos will upgrade the quarterback position, and they clearly want Rodgers to be that guy. Whether they get him or not we should find out in the next month or less. If Rodgers is here, Jeudy should be over the moon and begin working out with him immediately.
I’m not making excuses for Jeudy – he needs to be better. However, I do know the history of the game and know that some receivers – and some of the best to ever play – take time to get up to speed in the NFL. Can Jeudy be that guy? Sure, and in fact there’s a better chance than some think that he could be part of the solution for the Broncos.
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