So what do we make of Jerry Jeudy for 2022? Like all of Denver's skill guys, he's getting a quarterback upgrade in Russell Wilson, after working with Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater in his first two seasons. Will he be a breakout wideout?
Many thought it would happen a year ago, and if he'd stayed healthy, maybe it would have. Jeudy caught 6 passes for 72 yards in the season opener at the Giants, and in that game he suffered a high ankle sprain that sidelined him shortly after halftime -- might well have been headed for a 10-catch day. Instead he missed the next five games, resulting in an ultimately disappointing season.
But the quarterback upgrade should help, and this should be a more pass-happy offense than in the past. Defensive-minded Vic Fangio is gone in favor of former Packer offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. And the offense should be slightly more catered to the new quarterback, who famously chafed in the conservative, run-oriented offense that Pete Carroll and Seattle preferred to employ. Surely the Broncos plan to Let Russ Cook.
Jeudy -- with opportunities -- has been pretty solid in his first two seasons. In the 26 games he's appeared in, he's seen at least 6 targets in a game 14 times, so just under a season's worth of contests. His production across those contests puts him well on track (in a full season of similar usage) for an 80-catch, 1,100-yard type year.
| JEUDY WITH 6-PLUS TARGETS, 2020-2021 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Opp | Tgt | No | Yds | TD |
| 2020 | at LAC | 15 | 6 | 61 | 0 |
| 2020 | at Atl. | 14 | 7 | 125 | 1 |
| 2020 | LAC | 10 | 4 | 73 | 0 |
| 2021 | Phil. | 9 | 6 | 48 | 0 |
| 2020 | T.B. | 9 | 5 | 55 | 0 |
| 2020 | at L.V. | 8 | 4 | 68 | 0 |
| 2020 | Tenn. | 8 | 4 | 56 | 0 |
| 2020 | Mia. | 8 | 3 | 37 | 0 |
| 2021 | at Dall. | 8 | 6 | 69 | 0 |
| 2020 | L.V. | 7 | 5 | 140 | 1 |
| 2020 | at Pitt. | 7 | 4 | 62 | 0 |
| 2021 | at NYG | 7 | 6 | 72 | 0 |
| 2021 | at K.C. | 6 | 4 | 77 | 0 |
| 2021 | Det. | 6 | 5 | 47 | 0 |
| Total | 122 | 69 | 990 | 2 | |
It's easier said than done, of course. The Broncos have two other good wideouts in Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick; maybe KJ Hamler, too. They should have a good running game, and tight end Albert Okwuegbunam, too. Jeudy will have plenty of competition, and might be drafted too early in some leagues.
But I don't think Denver traded for Wilson not to pass the ball plenty this season, and I think Jeudy is the likeliest bet to emerge as the No. 1 wideout. I expect I'll have him on a team or two this season, banking on the upside potential.
--Andy Richardson