Draft Profile: Jerry Jeudy Could Give Colts' Offense Track Team Feel

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INDIANAPOLIS — Every so often for teams in the NFL Draft, a player becomes available who fits both a position of need and is among the top of the best players available.


When the Indianapolis Colts are sitting there on the clock in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, at least one such player could fit the bill for them, and could help transform their offense if selected.


Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy is not only considered by many experts to be the top receiver in this year's class, but is one of the best wide receiver prospects to come out in the last several years.


The reigning back-to-back First-Team All SEC selection has drawn pro comparisons to players like Colts legends Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne as well as current stars Amari Cooper, Robert Woods and Odell Beckham Jr.; the latter being the comparison he seems to draw the most.


In 42 games at Alabama, Jeudy caught 159 receptions for 2,742 yards (17.2 avg.) and 26 touchdowns. He now leaves a storied Crimson Tide program ranked second in school history in receiving touchdowns and yards per catch, fourth in receiving yards and fifth in receptions.


Jeudy won the Biletnikoff Award — which recognizes the nation's best wide receiver — and was named a Consensus All-American as a sophomore in 2018. He was then a semifinalist for both the Biletnikoff and Maxwell Player of the Year awards in 2019.


He brings a blend of speed, athleticism and polish to the wide receiver position that warrants him being an early first-round pick — potentially even in the top 10 — in April.


While he's most likely to land a primary role as an outside receiver, Jeudy's speed, quickness and precise route-running abilities show he'll likely be capable of being used in either of the X, Z (outside receivers) or Y receiver (slot) spots.


Whether he's beating a cornerback while being pressed in man coverage with his lightning-quick feet or immediately erasing the cushion in zone coverage with his long-strided speed, Jeudy is hard for defensive backs to get hands on and maintain control.