We heard last week that the Broncos may be trying to trade up from their No. 15 overall pick in Thursday’s draft, and those reports suggested that Denver would be targeting an offensive tackle with such a move. Although LT Garett Bolles actually performed surprisingly well in 2019 according to advanced metrics, he has not come close to living up to his status as a former first-round pick, and RT Ja’Wuan James saw his first season with the Broncos almost entirely wiped out due to injury.
So a tackle would make plenty of sense for Denver, but if the team does engineer a trade-up, it would be for a wide receiver, not a lineman, per Woody Paige of The Gazette (Twitter link). Specifically, the longtime Denver-based reporter says the club is targeting Alabama WR Jerry Jeudy.
Jeudy is seen as one of the top receivers in a draft that is historically deep at the position, and the run on wideouts is expected to start no later than the No. 11 overall selection, when the Jets are on the clock. As such, if the Broncos want Jeudy, they may need to get up to No. 8 (Cardinals) or No. 10 (Browns). Both Arizona and Cleveland profile as trade-down candidates, so Denver could have a trade partner should they choose to be aggressive.
Denver’s current WR depth chart looks pretty thin beyond budding star Courtland Sutton, and while it may make more sense to wait until the second or third round to nab another pass catcher — after all, a second-rounder in this year’s draft may be a first-rounder in any other year — there’s no denying that a Sutton-Jeudy combo is sorely tempting.
Jeudy is lauded for his route-running, and he averaged for 1,239 yards and 12 TDs over his final two seasons with the Crimson Tide. With him, Sutton, and second-year TE Noah Fant, QB Drew Lock would have a young and talented arsenal at his disposal.
One way or another, Paige does not expect the Broncos to stay put at No. 15. If they cannot trade up, or if they decide the price to do so is too high, Paige expects them to explore trade-down scenarios to further bolster their draft capital. As of this writing, they have 10 picks in the draft.
If he’s around at 15!
The first line of the article says they may be trying to trade up.
I think he is the best WR in the draft.
I’d have to agree of what I’ve seen so far.
I think there are a couple great receivers in this draft and the broncos will get one. I could see them trading back and getting Jefferson from LSU
I would only trade up for Ruggs or Jeudy at the receiver position. Trading back late 1st – early 2nd I like Mims but my favorite is Bryan Edwards projected 3rd or 4th round.
You must not have have seen CeeDee Lamb play. With that ridiculous catch radius that he has, similar to Sutton. Locke could jump ball to Sutton, Fant or Lamb in the end zone.
I just think Lamb’s numbers were inflated from the conference, the quarterbacks he played with and him be the only receiver on the team.
What has more value 5th yr option for a OL or WR? An OL drafted in the 1st has 83% chance to be a productive starter for at least half their career. Versus 58% for WRs in the 1st. Fanpost data 2005-2014.
Jeudy and Sutton on the same field. Oof.