Broncos’ young stars Surtain, Jeudy sparkle in Minnesota

The Crimson Tide kids are alright.

On the first day of joint practices with the Vikings in Minnesota, the ‘Bama-bred duo of cornerback Pat Surtain II and wide receiver Jerry Jeudy provided a glimpse of what the future of the Denver Broncos looks like.

With reckless disregard for anyone’s ankles, Jeudy torched the Vikings secondary on multiple occasions Wednesday, including a long touchdown catch in 11-on-11 against Minnesota starting cornerback Bashaud Breeland.

Somersaulting into the end zone 🤸‍♂️#BroncosCamp x @jerryjeudy pic.twitter.com/kF02xCuaLy

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 11, 2021

Earlier in practice, in a one-on-one drill, Jeudy juked Vikings defender Mackensie Alexander out of his shoes with an impressive double move.

Sheeeeeeesh, @jerryjeudy 🔁#DENvsMIN x #BroncosCamp pic.twitter.com/V3bZMnWfJx

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 11, 2021

“Jerry Jeudy — he scares me, man. The way he’s in and out of breaks, he can’t have any ACLs or knees. I wish I had his knees,” Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater said with a laugh. “That guy — the way he’s able to change directions, he makes all of his routes look the same. He’s doing a great job of attacking the ball when we throw it to him across the middle and making plays after the catch.”

After practice, fellow Broncos quarterback Drew Lock called Jeudy a “very tough cover.”

“It’s almost like he has a plan before we snap the ball and how it feels like when we set this guy up — whoever it is,” Lock said. “He does a pretty good job of getting open. I’ll say that.”

Jeudy’s University of Alabama compatriot, Surtain, also made the highlight reel on Wednesday, stifling Minnesota wideout Ihmir Smith-Marsette in a one-on-one drill.

Lock ‘em down, PS2 🎮#BroncosCamp x @PatSurtainll pic.twitter.com/PmjHJf292E

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 11, 2021

Broncos safety Justin Simmons said after practice that Surtain is already ahead of the curve compared to most rookies, and if he can get the mental aspect of the game down, he “already has what it takes physically.”

“As long as we get him lined up in the right spot against the man he has to be on or the zone concept that we have implemented for that game plan, he’s going to be great,” Simmons said. “I think what makes this even better for him is you’ve got an experienced nickel at Bryce (Callahan), two experienced corners in (Ronald) Darby and (Kyle) Fuller, and then myself and Kareem (Jackson) in the back end, and honestly you have so much knowledge in that back room that it’s going to be hard for him not to succeed.”