Miles
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- Mar 18, 2019
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Mock draft season has begun, and analysts have started to pair a slew of different players with the Broncos, who hold the ninth-overall selection in this year's NFL Draft. But as the next crop of NFL hopefuls begin their path to the league at the Senior Bowl this week, we're taking a look back at Denver's 2020 draft class.
Despite an unprecedented offseason in which the rookies lost out on potentially thousands of reps because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of the team's draft picks still made significant impacts in their first season.
All but one of Denver's 10 draft picks saw action — Justin Strnad was placed on injured reserve before the season — and many found a way to contribute in near instant fashion.
We conclude with a look at the Broncos' top two picks in 2020:
WR JERRY JEUDY:
During the pre-draft process, analysts across the country lauded Jerry Jeudy for his route-running ability. Broncos fans saw plenty of that talent on display in 2020 after Denver selected Jeudy with the 15th-overall pick. Despite playing without the benefit of Courtland Sutton attracting defenses' attention, Jeudy routinely gained separation and turned route-running into a highlight-worthy endeavor. Jeudy recorded at least 50 receiving yards in each of his first four games, and his first career touchdown was an acrobatic catch in which he reached back and Mossed a defender in prime time. Jeudy finished the season with 52 catches for 856 yards and three scores, which left him fifth among rookies in receiving yardage. Only Eddie Royal posted more catches or yards as a rookie in franchise history. Yet, for as impressive as Jeudy was at times, his season was also defined by the plays he did not make. Untimely drops hurt Denver's chances to win several games and his own stat line. The rookie, though, managed to end the season on a high note as he posted a strong stat line in a 31-point output vs. the Raiders.
16 games, 14 starts, 52 receptions, 113 targets, 856 yards, three touchdowns
Game to remember:
Jeudy's first 100-yard game came in Week 9 in Atlanta, and his touchdown catch against the Jets was an instant classic. He saved his best overall performance for last. After a tough second half of the season, Jeudy caught five passes for 140 yards and a touchdown — and added a two-point conversion reception — to put the Broncos up late against Las Vegas. The 92-yard score was the longest by a Broncos player since 2008 and was the longest pass play from scrimmage in the NFL last season. Perhaps most importantly, Lock and Jeudy were more efficient than they'd been most of the season. Jeudy was targeted the second-most times of any rookie receiver, but he managed just the eighth-most receptions and had a catch rate of 46 percent.
Area for improvement:
With talent and a high draft slot come high expectations. For everything that Jeudy did well, he'll aim to clean up a series of drops that plagued him at times throughout the year. In Week 1 against the Titans, Week 9 against the Falcons and Week 16 against the Chargers, Jeudy had opportunities to make game-changing catches that could have — and likely would have — led to Broncos wins. Jeudy will also aim to continue to build chemistry with whoever leads the team at quarterback to improve his catch rate. He'll also need to avoid stretches in which he does not impact games. Over a three-week stretch late in the year — and four weeks if you include a game Denver played without a quarterback — Jeudy caught just four passes for 66 yards. In 2021, with Sutton back on the field, Jeudy should see less attention from defenses, which should allow him to flourish even more in the Broncos' offense.