X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Jerry Jeudy - Fantasy Football Rookie Spotlight

Phil Clark's 2020 fantasy football value analysis of Broncos rookie wide receiver Jerry Jeudy. Is he a 2020 fantasy football draft sleeper and top dynasty WR target?

The enormous level of excitement that surrounds members of each rookie class has become an annual occurrence for the fantasy community. The frenzy for this season’s newcomers has intensified as Dynasty and Best-Ball owners now have the opportunity to select these players for their rosters, while others can prepare for their chance to seize them in redraft leagues.

The team at RotoBaller is assembling a collection of rookie profiles that will provide you with analysis and data for these promising first-year players. This will help you determine whether each performer should be targeted for your rosters during the draft process, and which players are less worthy of consideration as components for your teams.

This year's rookie class includes a collection of wide receivers who will be forced to overcome the challenges of an unusual offseason. This scenario will impact Jerry Jeudy, who possesses a comprehensive package of favorable traits as he enters his first season with Denver. A review of his collegiate career at Alabama will be blended with an analysis of his strengths, along with the factors that he will encounter in his new environment.

 

Profile:

Team: Denver Broncos
College: Alabama
Height/Weight 6’1”, 195
2020 NFL Draft: Round 1, Pick 15

 

Excelling At The Collegiate Level

Jeudy arrived at Alabama as a five-star prospect, after collecting 117 passes, assembling 1,554 yards and stockpiling 25 touchdowns during his final two seasons at Deerfield Beach High School in Florida. That includes the 1,054 and 15 touchdowns that he generated as a senior.

Year Games Targets Receptions Yards TD
2019 13 110 77 1,163 10
2018 15 104 68 1,315 14
2017 8 20 14 264 2
Totals 36 234 159 2,742 26

Jeudy's output was limited to 14 receptions, and 264 yards during his freshman season with the Crimson Tide, which easily trailed team leader Calvin Ridley (63 receptions/967 yards). But Jeudy’s involvement increased significantly during his second year, as he finished 10th among all receivers with 1,315 yards, and tied for third with 14 touchdowns.

He also led Alabama’s immensely talented receiving corps in both categories, along with targets (104), receptions (68), and yards per reception (19.3). That propelled him to first-team All-American status, while he also commandeered the prestigious Biletnikoff Award following that highly successful sophomore season.

Jeudy cemented his status as a premier NFL prospect during 2019, by pacing Alabama in targets (110) and receptions (77). His 10 touchdowns also expanded his career total to 26, which vaulted him to second in school history behind Amari Cooper.

His target share rose to 25%, as he collected a team-high 77 receptions, accrued 1,163 yards, and averaged 15.1 yards per reception. Jeudy also collected 8+ receptions in three contests, exceeded 100 yards in four different matchups, and generated 10 touchdowns. He finished his career by igniting for 204 yards against Michigan in the Citrus Bowl.

Jeudy’s list of accomplishments during his three seasons with the Crimson Tide is substantial. These achievements were attained through his dedication toward becoming an elite performer, along with a desirable assortment of skills that raised him to a preeminent position among wide receivers at the collegiate level. It also provided the foundation for Jeudy’s newfound status as a first-round draft selection.

 

A Phenomenal Talent 

In my recent rookie profile on Jeudy’s former teammate Henry Ruggs, it was mentioned that Ruggs’ usage and production were constrained by Alabama’s deep arsenal of receiving talent – which included Jeudy, Ruggs, DeVonta Smith, and Jaylen Waddle. This same principle applies to Jeudy, whose numbers would have been more impressive if he had been operating in an environment that did not contain an array of highly gifted pass catchers.

However, there was still a sizable incentive for many draft observers to consider Jeudy among the most enticing prospects from this year's rookie class at the wide receiver position. The explosive Jeudy delivers an exceptional blend of speed and route-running acumen, along with the versatility to operate outside or from the slot. This can create nightmarish results for many of the overmatched defenders that he will encounter.

He should become even more formidable for opponents as experience fuels further development during his career progression. Size is hardly a concern for the 6'ft 1", 195-pound Jeudy, while his work ethic is unquestioned. The same dedication that he demonstrated while perfecting his route running will continue driving him toward continual improvement, and rising production.

 

Denver’s Transformed Offense

Denver ranked just 28th in both total offense and passing offense passing during 2019, and 27th in attempts per game (31.5). The Broncos also ranked 27th in points per possession (1.6), 28th in red zone touchdown efficiency (47.6), and dead last in passing touchdowns (16).

It was clear that enhancements were needed in order to improve the team's substandard attack, and that compelled John Elway to pursue a massive assemblage of explosive weaponry. This was also designed with the intention of closing the gap that exists between Denver and AFC West rival Kansas City, while also improving the Broncos’ prospects of producing points during their encounters with the Chiefs.

The team’s selection of Jeudy with the 15th overall pick provided a major resource in their pursuit of the Chiefs and an eventual spot among the league’s most tangible Super Bowl contenders. He will join a receiving unit that has experienced a mammoth offseason renovation. However, third-year receiver Courtland Sutton represents one sizable exception, as he will return in the aftermath of a breakout season. The ascending Sutton led the NFL in percentage share of team’s air yards (42.93), while also finishing 15th in targets (125/7.8 per game) 17th in yardage (1,112), seventh in red-zone targets, and 16th in air yards (1,436). But even though Sutton constructed excellent numbers, the October trade of Emmanuel Sanders left the Broncos woefully deficient in additional receiving talent.

No other Denver wide receiver collected 30 receptions or attained 300 yards, as DaeSean Hamilton’s 28 receptions/297 yards placed him second at the position following Sander’s departure. Hamilton operated from the slot on 78% of his offensive plays but has been consigned to irrelevance due to the influx of superior talent.

The dynamic K.J. Hamler was drafted by Denver in Round 2 and will supply the offense with yet another dynamic blend of athleticism and explosiveness. Hamler can be deployed frequently in the slot, where he will loom as an ongoing big-play threat. This instantly provides the Broncos with a dangerous downfield weapon that is desperately needed as a complement to Jeudy and Sutton. Hamler’s exceptional speed can also result in sizable yardage totals after the catch on shorter routes.

Denver’s rushing attack ranked an unimpressive 20th in 2019 (103.9 yards per game). But the Broncos’ ground game has been bolstered through the arrival of Melvin Gordon. He had finished at RB8 or better from 2016-2018 while averaging 996 rushing yards, and 462 receiving yards during that span. His numbers should rebound significantly from last year’s career-worst output (612 rushing yards), which was a byproduct of his ill-conceived holdout.

Pat Shurmur will be the architect of this year’s offense, after spending 10 of the last 11 seasons functioning as either a head coach or offensive coordinator. He becomes the beneficiary of the reshaped components that have been infused into the renovated attack. Shurmur's presence will be an asset to Jeudy, as he can exploit matchup advantages that will maximize Jeudy's ability to prevail against coverage.

 

Competition For Targets

The Broncos inserted three different quarterbacks under center during 2019, as Joe Flacco’s forgettable eight-game tenure (6 touchdowns/5 interceptions) led to three matchups with Brandon Allen spearheading the attack. Elway had invested a second-round pick in Drew Lock during the 2019 NFL Draft, and Lock was elevated into the lineup for Denver’s Week 13 matchup with the Chargers.

Weeks 13-17 with Drew Lock Targets/Game Yards/Target Targets Rec. Yards
Courtland Sutton 8 7 40 22 280
DaeSean Hamilton 5.6 6.8 28 17 191
Tim Patrick 4 6.9 20 11 138
Noah Fant 2.8 13.4 14 10 188
Royce Freeman 2.6 4 13 13 52
Phillip Lindsay 2.2 1.5 11 7 17

Lock averaged only 20 attempts during his five games as the Broncos’ starter while completing 64.1% of his throws, and averaging 6.5 yards per attempt. Sutton sustained an appealing 8.0 target per game average after Lock secured the starting role.

But even though he commandeered the team-high target share, his output declined from 7.7 receptions/77 yards per game in Weeks 1-12 to 4.4 receptions/56 yards per game while operating with Lock. Sutton’s 9.87 yards per target average from Weeks 1-12 also dropped to 5.85 per game from Weeks 14-17. This should be a concern for Sutton owners when projecting his numbers over 16 games with Lock.

Promising second-year tight end Noah Fant collected 40 of his 65 targets for 562 yards during 2019. His 3.4 targets per game average from Weeks 1-7 rose to 6.8 from Weeks 8-12. However, that average also dropped to 2.8 with Lock under center, as Fant also averaged just 2.0 receptions and 37.6 yards per game during that sequence. He did accrue 113 yards in Week 14 but failed to exceed 10 yards in three of the other four contests.

Sutton is theoretically capable of raising his output even further as as opposing defensive units dedicate resources toward neutralizing Jeudy. This would reduce the attention that had been previously been concentrated on impeding Sutton. However, the most reasonable outcome is that neither Jeudy or Sutton will generate the output that would have developed if both receivers were not competing for targets.

 

Jeudy’s Outlook

It is clear that the additions of Jeudy, Gordon and Hamler have significantly elevated the potential of Denver’s attack. However, this will require Lock to fully capitalize on the dynamic weaponry that Elway has assembled. Lock’s five game stint with the receiving options that existed in 2019 does not provide a sufficient sample size to accurately predict how effectively he will perform this season.

That presents the largest concern for owners of Jeudy, and any other receiving option that will be involved within the offense. But it does not eliminate all reason for optimism regarding Jeudy’s prospects of amassing respectable numbers this season. His versatility creates the potential that he can accrue targets through deployment both inside and on the perimeter. Shurmur’s ability to make in-game adjustments bodes well for the likelihood that this will occur.

Jeudy is also primed to unleash an outstanding blend of physical qualities that will help him succeed against the coverage that he will encounter. He can take advantage of his exceptional route running to set up defenders, then utilize a lethal mixture of speed and acceleration to seize separation. Shurmur will also place him in position to thrive.

Jeudy presents the potential of functioning as an eventual WR1 for owners in dynasty leagues, as he will eventually construct a highly successful career at the NFL level. His talent and commitment should also propel him to a reasonable level of fantasy relevance during 2020. However, Sutton can be expected to commandeer Denver's highest target share, while the inexperience of Lock threatens to place constraints on the numbers that Jeudy will achieve early this season. But it is feasible to expect that Jeudy's output will rise as the year advances. That will provide owners with a viable weekly starter before his rookie year has reached a conclusion.

More NFL Rookie Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Irv Smith15 mins ago

Houston Re-Signs Irv Smith Jr.
George Soriano23 mins ago

Patrick Monteverde Promoted To Major Leagues, George Soriano Optioned
MJ Melendez30 mins ago

Optioned To Triple-A
Mark Canha36 mins ago

Activated Off Injured List
Jake Cronenworth4 hours ago

Targeting Earlier Return
Liam Hendriks4 hours ago

Set To Return On Saturday
Jackson Merrill4 hours ago

Not Expected To Return Next Week
Martín Pérez5 hours ago

Martin Perez Will Undergo MRI On Saturday
Casey Schmitt5 hours ago

Expected To Hit Injured List
Brock Stewart5 hours ago

Expected To Return On Sunday
Luke Keaschall5 hours ago

Busy In MLB Debut
Jose Fleury5 hours ago

Continues Strong Start On Friday
AJ Smith-Shawver6 hours ago

Strikes Out Eight In Defeat
Marcelo Mayer6 hours ago

Tallies Seven RBI On Friday
Zyhir Hope6 hours ago

Hits Two Home Runs On Friday
Andrew Painter6 hours ago

Sharp In Second Rehab Outing
Tyler Anderson11 hours ago

Keeps Hot Streak Rolling Friday
Logan Webb11 hours ago

Fans 12 In Tough-Luck Loss
Carlos Rodón11 hours ago

Carlos Rodon Goes Six Scoreless To Snap Personal Losing Streak
Andrew Abbott12 hours ago

Dominates Orioles On Friday
Yoshinobu Yamamoto12 hours ago

Tosses Another Gem
Cam Smith12 hours ago

Hits Two Taters On Friday
Ja Morant15 hours ago

Cleared To Play Friday
Brandon Williams16 hours ago

Available Against Grizzlies
Anthony Davis16 hours ago

Will Play Friday Night
Gary Trent Jr.16 hours ago

Available For Game 1 Against Pacers
Taurean Prince16 hours ago

Returns To Bucks Lineup Saturday
NFL16 hours ago

Justin Hardee Sr. Waived With Non-Football Injury
Isaiah Stewart16 hours ago

To Return For Game 1
Ausar Thompson16 hours ago

Available For Game 1
Rui Hachimura17 hours ago

On Track To Play Saturday
Austin Reaves17 hours ago

Ready To Go For Game 1
NFL17 hours ago

Bills Release Armani Rogers, Branson Deen
Luka Dončić17 hours ago

Luka Doncic Removed From Injury Report
LeBron James17 hours ago

Listed As Probable For Game 1
Ben Sheppard17 hours ago

Probable For Saturday's Game 1
NFL17 hours ago

Kolton Miller Absent From Raiders' Voluntary Offseason Program
Kevin Durant17 hours ago

To Houston Already Losing Steam
Lauri Markkanen17 hours ago

Wants To Stay With The Jazz
NFL17 hours ago

Ross Blacklock Let Go By New York
Bennedict Mathurin18 hours ago

Expected To Play In Game 1 Saturday
Pascal Siakam18 hours ago

Available For Playoff Opener
Tyrese Haliburton18 hours ago

Returning From Two-Game Absence Saturday
Cade Cunningham18 hours ago

Available For Game 1 Against Knicks
Josh Hart18 hours ago

Back In Knicks Lineup Saturday
OG Anunoby18 hours ago

Good To Go For Game 1
Jalen Brunson18 hours ago

Available For Saturday's Game 1
NFL19 hours ago

Raiders Considering Drafting A Quarterback
Irv Smith19 hours ago

Sticking With Texans
Ryan Lindgren19 hours ago

Set To Return Saturday
NFL19 hours ago

Texans Expected To Draft Wide Receivers
Greg Dortch19 hours ago

Returning To Cardinals
Josh Manson19 hours ago

Available For Game 1
Mark Andrews19 hours ago

Could Be Traded Soon
Ondrej Palat19 hours ago

To Return For Start Of Playoffs
David Savard20 hours ago

Will Retire After Playoffs
NFL20 hours ago

Raiders, Falcons Could Have Interest In Jalen Ramsey
Robert Thomas20 hours ago

Good To Go Saturday
Matthew Tkachuk20 hours ago

Expected To Return For Game 1
20 hours ago

Raiders Are High On Ashton Jeanty
Jason Robertson20 hours ago

Considered Week-To-Week
Rome Odunze20 hours ago

To Hopefully Get More Involved
NFL20 hours ago

Dolphins Could Draft A Quarterback
James Cook20 hours ago

Could Stay Away From Voluntary Workouts
Leon Draisaitl1 day ago

Wins First Rocket Richard Trophy
Nikita Kucherov1 day ago

Bags Third Art Ross Trophy
Bryan Rust1 day ago

Scores Twice In Season-Ending Win
Igor Shesterkin1 day ago

Shuts Out Lightning With 27 Saves
Dylan Cozens1 day ago

Picks Up Three Points In Regular-Season Finale
Matvei Michkov1 day ago

Caps Off Rookie Campaign With Three-Point Effort
Brady Tkachuk1 day ago

Makes Early Exit For Precautionary Reasons
Jake Tonges2 days ago

Signs Exclusive-Rights Tender
Denver Broncos2 days ago

Broncos To Focus On RB Position In Next Week's Draft
Drew Lock2 days ago

Sam Howell, Drew Lock Expected To Compete For Backup Job
New York Giants2 days ago

Giants Leaning Toward Taking Best Player Available At No. 3
New Orleans Saints2 days ago

Ryan Ramczyk Announces His Retirement
Buffalo Bills2 days ago

Tre'Davious White Reunites With Buffalo
Jakob Chychrun2 days ago

Returns Against Penguins
Rasmus Andersson2 days ago

Out Against Kings
Jonathan Huberdeau2 days ago

Sits Out Regular-Season Finale
Ryan Pulock2 days ago

Out On Thursday
Jake Sanderson2 days ago

Back In Action Thursday
Thomas Chabot2 days ago

To Be Rested Against Hurricanes
Claude Giroux2 days ago

Active On Thursday
Lucas Glover3 days ago

Looks To Rebound After Poor Performance
Daniel Berger3 days ago

Looking To Continue Solid Play At RBC
Sepp Straka3 days ago

Looking To Bounce Back At RBC
Justin Thomas3 days ago

Looking To Shake Off Poor Masters At RBC Heritage
Xander Schauffele3 days ago

Still Looking For Year's First Win At RBC Heritage
Maverick McNealy3 days ago

Is An Intriguing Play At RBC Heritage
Shane Lowry3 days ago

Looks To Shake Off Poor Masters Sunday At RBC Heritage
Will Zalatoris3 days ago

Eyes A Bounce-Back At RBC Heritage
Gary Woodland3 days ago

Could Add Some Surprise At Hilton Head
Sam Burns3 days ago

Hoping For Better Times At RBC Heritage
Sahith Theegala3 days ago

Still Trying To Put It All Together
Aaron Rai3 days ago

Might Be That Guy For Hilton Head
Robert MacIntyre3 days ago

All Or Nothing At RBC Heritage
Tom Hoge3 days ago

Still Playing Solid Heading To Hilton Head
Nick Dunlap3 days ago

Continues To Have Rough Stretch
Keegan Bradley3 days ago

Looks To Move On From Masters Performance
Matt Fitzpatrick3 days ago

A Boom-Or-Bust Option At RBC Heritage
Patrick Cantlay3 days ago

A Strong Play At RBC Heritage
Jordan Spieth3 days ago

Targets Another Strong RBC Heritage Showing
Collin Morikawa4 days ago

Eyeing Victory At RBC Heritage
Max Homa4 days ago

Breaks Through At The Masters
Alexander Volkanovski4 days ago

Reclaims Featherweight Title
Diego Lopes4 days ago

Drops Decision At UFC 314
Paddy Pimblett4 days ago

Remains Undefeated In The UFC
Michael Chandler4 days ago

Suffers TKO Loss
MMA4 days ago

Patricio Freire Gets Dominated In His UFC Debut
Yair Rodriguez4 days ago

Gets Back In The Win Column
Bryce Mitchell4 days ago

Gets Submitted At UFC 314
Jean Silva4 days ago

Gets Submission Win At UFC 314
Dominick Reyes4 days ago

Wins Third Fight In A Row
5 days ago

Austin Dillon Nabs His First Top-10 Finish Of The 2025 Season At Bristol
5 days ago

Ryan Blaney's Bold Strategies Fall Flat, Still Musters A Top-Five Finish At Bristol
5 days ago

Christopher Bell Finishes In The Top 10 After Falling Back Midway At Bristol
5 days ago

Ty Gibbs Earns His First Top-Five Finish Of The 2025 Season At Bristol
5 days ago

Chase Briscoe Quietly Scores First Career Top-Five Finish At Bristol
5 days ago

Denny Hamlin Cuts Into William Byron's Points Lead
5 days ago

William Byron Makes Best Of His Mediocre Qualifying Run With Sixth-Place Finish
5 days ago

Despite Engine Failure, Alex Bowman's Improved Speed Looks Promising
NASCAR5 days ago

A.J. Allmendinger Enters Playoff Picture With Surprise Bristol Top-10 Finish