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Jerry Jeudy

Why would Broncos trade No. 1?

One of the stories that simply will not die this offseason is the idea that Denver is looking to trade Jerry Jeudy or Courtland Sutton. The latest version, despite firm denials from both GM George Paton and head coach Sean Payton, is that Denver "isn't hanging up the phone" when called about them. Talk about reaching for a story.

I'm sure the Broncos would love to have a first-round pick in the upcoming draft. But they also need to elevate the league's lowest-scoring offense from a year ago, which Jeudy and Sutton are a big part of. They've got Tim Patrick, coming back from tearing his ACL last August, and little else. The oft-injured KJ Hamler is apparently facing a 4-6 month recovery time after tearing his pectoral working out on his own. Trading Jeudy or Sutton creates an additional need for the team. Anything can happen, but I don't see why it would in this case. Reporters in need of an offseason story is my best guess.

The most recent story I've seen makes light of the fact that the Broncos could land a first-round pick for Jeudy. I'm not sure why. He hasn't had a big year yet, but he hasn't exactly been a disaster, either. Has he been working with Patrick Mahomes?

Selected 15th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft, Jeudy is just 23 years old. He was hurt for a good chunk of what looked like it might be his breakout season in 2021, but has pushed for 1,000 yards in his other two seasons. Drew Lock quarterbacked one of those years, while enough has been said about Russell Wilson's and the offense's mighty struggles a year ago. And yet, Jeudy showed the potential to be what the team was hoping for when it drafted him.

Most notably, in an offense that's been very short on explosiveness, he's been able to get downfield. In the two seasons he's been healthy, he's averaged 16.5 and 14.5 yards per catch. Among all wideouts to catch at least 50 passes in any of the three years Jeudy has been in the league, those are the 7th- and 31st-best averages in that regard. If Denver's investment in its offensive line this offseason and addition of Payton designing the offense pays off in an improved Wilson, Jeudy should have a very good season. I don't see any way trading Jeudy, or Sutton for that matter, would result in an offense the team wants.

WIDE RECEIVERS AVERAGING 14 YARDS PER CATCH, 2020-2022
YearPlayerTgtNoRecAvgTD
2021Deebo Samuel, S.F.12177140518.36
2022Jaylen Waddle, Mia.11775135618.18
2020DJ Moore, Car.11866119318.14
2021JaMarr Chase, Cin.12881145518.013
2022A.J. Brown, Phil.14588149617.011
2020Will Fuller, Hou.755387916.68
2020Jerry Jeudy, Den.1135285616.53
2021Tyler Lockett, Sea.10773117516.18
2021Van Jefferson, LAR895080216.06
2020Justin Jefferson, Min.12588140015.97
2020DK Metcalf, Sea.12983130315.710
2021A.J. Green, Ariz.925484815.73
2022Terry McLaurin, Was.12077119115.55
2022George Pickens, Pitt.845280115.44
2020A.J. Brown, Ten.10670107515.411
2020Calvin Ridley, Atl.14390137415.39
2022Davante Adams, L.V.180100151615.214
2020Corey Davis, Ten.926598415.15
2020Julio Jones, Atl.685177115.13
2021Mike Williams, LAC12976114615.19
2020Darius Slayton, NYG965075115.03
2021Justin Jefferson, Min.167108161615.010
2022Amari Cooper, Cle.13278116014.99
2021Brandon Aiyuk, S.F.845682614.85
2021Tee Higgins, Cin.11074109114.76
2020Tyreek Hill, K.C.13587127614.715
2022Mike Evans, T.B.12777112414.66
2021Chase Claypool, Pitt.1055986014.62
2021Kendrick Bourne, N.E.705580014.65
2020Tim Patrick, Den.795174214.66
2022Jerry Jeudy, Den.1006797214.56
2022Chris Olave, N.O.11972104214.54
2020Mike Evans, T.B.10970100614.413
2022Tyreek Hill, Mia.170119171014.47
2021DeVonta Smith, Phil.1046491614.35
2020Michael Gallup, Dall.1055984314.35
2022Mike Williams, LAC936389514.24
2020Brandin Cooks, Hou.11981115014.26
2022Justin Jefferson, Min.184128180914.18
2022DJ Moore, Car.1186388814.17
2020Chase Claypool, Pitt.1096287314.19
2021Mike Evans, T.B.11474103514.014
2021CeeDee Lamb, Dall.12079110214.06

I'm not going to call Jeudy a sleeper of the year or anything, but he's a good young wideout who will be an important part of an improved offense. I don't put much stock in the trade talk. Even if the Broncos aren't hanging up on people who call them.

--Andy Richardson

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