General manager John Elway’s 10th year running the Broncos’ NFL draft effort featured a first: An Alabama player.
The Broncos stayed at No. 15 on Thursday night and their patience paid off when receiver Jerry Jeudy was still on the board, allowing Elway to add an immediate weapon for quarterback Drew Lock.
Jeudy was the second receiver selected — Alabama teammate Henry Ruggs III went No. 12 to Las Vegas. Things fell perfectly for the Broncos when the New York Jets selected offensive tackle Mekhi Becton 11th and San Francisco, following a one-spot trade down with Tampa Bay, opted for South Carolina defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw.
“I expected to go a little higher, but at the same time, the draft every year is crazy and you never know what will happen,” Jeudy said during a media conference call. “It’s a great feeling and a surreal moment. I’m just thankful the hard work paid off.”
The first round completed, the Broncos have four picks on Friday — No. 46 in the second round and Nos. 73, 77 and 85 in the third round, opportunities for them to add at cornerback, center, offensive tackle and inside linebacker.
Elway had made 70 draft picks from 2011-19, but none were from Alabama. But recognizing the need to improve the Broncos’ downfield passing game and give help to receiver Courtland Sutton (who was often double-teamed, particularly in the red zone) and tight end Noah Fant (who should capitalize in match-ups against linebackers), Jeudy was an easy call.
Listed at 6-foot-1 and 193 pounds, Jeudy caught 159 passes for 2,742 yards and 26 touchdowns for Alabama. He was a two-time first-team All-America selection.
“I can play inside, outside — wherever they want to put me to get me the ball,” Jeudy said. “I don’t feel like I’m a better inside receiver or outside receiver. I’m a receiver.”
Via text, a veteran NFL offensive coach saluted the Broncos for the Jeudy pick.
“Love him,” the coach said. “He’s Mr. All-Around.”
That is big news for new offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, who can move Jeudy around the formation instead of confining him to slot or outside duties.
As a junior, Jeudy said his biggest stride was “recognizing coverages. Once I started doing that better, I felt like I started to play faster.”
The Broncos used their first-round pick on an offensive player for the fourth time in five years and chose a receiver in the opening round for the first time since Demaryius Thomas in 2010 (No. 22 overall).
Despite playing 41 games for Alabama, there was speculation earlier this week about the health of Jeudy’s knees; he underwent surgery for a partial meniscus tear in April 2018.
On Thursday, though, Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban debunked any concerns about Jeudy’s long-term durability.
“Jerry Jeudy has nothing wrong with him,” Saban said during a Sirius XM appearance. “Absolutely nothing. He never missed practice. He played in every game. Played in a bowl game when he didn’t have to play.”
Saban called Jeudy a “great all-around receiver. Great route runner. Can really accelerate out of a break. I always compare him to Keenan McCardell, who we had at the Cleveland Browns when I was there, except Jerry Jeudy is fast and Keenan McCardell wasn’t fast-fast.”
Broncos’ first-round picks since 2011
2011: OLB Von Miller (No. 2 overall).
2012: None.
2013: DT Sylvester Williams (No. 28).
2014: CB Bradley Roby (No. 22).
2015: OLB Shane Ray (No. 23).
2016: QB Paxton Lynch (No. 26).
2017: LT Garett Bolles (No. 20).
2018: OLB Bradley Chubb (No. 5).
2019: TE Noah Fant (No. 20).
2020: WR Jerry Jeudy (No. 15).
