Broncos Camp Notebook | Day 4: Jerry Jeudy Emerging as WR1
Englewood, CO – The biggest inquiry from Broncos Country heading into Day 4 of Denver Broncos training camp evolved around quarterback Russell Wilson. The veteran, now in his second year in Denver, looked to be in phenomenal physical condition and showed nice athleticism through a variety of scrambles in team period on Day 3 of training camp.
Most fans were relieved and curious to see Russ rally. But Friday's practice revealed some growing pains for Wilson and the Broncos offense, who are implementing head coach Sean Payton’s vision as a play caller. A handful of plays in team period revealed Russ hanging onto the ball for just a second too long before defenders closed in, and he took off on the run.
Saturday's practice was once again open to Broncos Country, foreshadowing what could be a historic turnaround for the Broncos in 2023. Here's what I gleaned from watching the practice at Centura Health Training Center.
Jerry Jeudy is Wilson’s No. 1 Target
‘This is the year,’ has been regurgitated by Broncos Country when speaking of wideout Jerry Jeudy in seasons past. Drafted No. 15 overall in 2020, the former playmaker from Alabama has only logged nine touchdowns and 2,295 yards in 41 career games for the Broncos in three seasons.
Jeudy has never played a full season since his rookie year, has never scored double-digit touchdowns, has yet to log a 1,000-yard receiving season, and has never notched 70 receptions in a single season.
But under Payton’s watch, Jeudy’s talents will be showcased in the Broncos' new offense. The first day of training camp was tough for No. 10 as he continually locked up with former ‘Bama teammate Patrick Surtain II for a large part of camp.
But Saturday, Wilson connected with Jeudy on a clean comeback route in 7-on-7 drills that demonstrated both men have been putting in the time to find chemistry. You don’t have to be a QB whisperer to realize that Jeudy is unquestionably Wilson’s first read in his progression.
Snap after snap, in both 7-on-7 and team period, the first receiver that Russ is looking for is Jeudy. No longer will Jeudy be tasked with running go routes with hopes of beating a defender deep.
Instead, look for him to find the ball in underneath plays. Specifically, crossing routes, slants, and short-to-medium passes. This will immediately allow Jeudy to do what he does best and make plays in open space.
I’m no fantasy football expert, but there are already whispers that Jeudy’s statistics are going to go nuts under Payton’s offense. While I remain cautiously optimistic, it’s refreshing to see that under an offensive expert, Jeudy will get a multitude of opportunities to put this team on his back and win football games.
Payton’s Offense: The Fast & The Furious
The first thing fans notice at training camp practice is the incredibly fast nature of Payton’s offense. In most reps for the first-string offense, Wilson is consistently tasked with throwing the football quickly after making a concise and clear decision.
No matter the down and distance, or where the ball is on the field, it’s blatantly evident that if Russ wants to have a career comeback in 2023, he’ll do so by operating with a sense of urgency. Saturday, Russ had a much better practice with throwing the football and getting it out of his hands.
On Day 1, he opted to run, and that wasn’t the case on Saturday as Wilson completed passes to Tim Patrick and Jeudy. But there’s no question that Wilson's best ball pass came when he connected with Courtland Sutton on an out route for a completion that was blanketed by Surtain in coverage. Fans immediately roared when they witnessed Wilson zip the ball with precise accuracy.
Yes, Payton’s offense is complex regarding his personnel, routes, and assignments from his unit. However, more times than not, Wilson is literally making a high/low read, which equates to two progressions instead of being asked to continually scan the entire football field with a collapsing pocket.
Make no mistake; running the football is also a huge part of the offensive identity Payton is forging in Denver, as Javonte Williams has looked Hulk-ish with his explosiveness and cutting after shredding three ligaments in his knee last fall.
Payton can be a defensive nightmare when it comes to matching up with him and game planning, but there’s also an aggressive and original style to his offense. I can’t tell you how excited I am that the power I formation, along with counters and fullbacks, are being implemented in the Broncos offense, which feels very familiar around here.
Expect speed and a flurry of well-calculated short-to-medium plays that are called with the intention of setting up blockbuster plays that’ll be talked about around the NFL.
‘PS2’ Peaking Already with Elite Level Performance
I'm thrilled that I get to write about Day 2 of training camp for Mile High Huddle instead of reading about power rankings of Sauce Gardner vs. Surtain. I don’t deny that Gardner has phenomenal talent and will be problematic for receivers when the Broncos host the New York Jets in Denver in Week 5.
But hear me when I say this: Surtain is the best cornerback in the NFL. While it’s only been two days of training camp, I’ve already witnessed ‘PS2’ get the best of Sutton, Patrick, and his former Crimson Tide chum Jeudy.
In Saturday's team period, Surtain had a beautiful pass break-up as he defended Jeudy on a go route with Wilson throwing a well-placed ball. Time and time again in drills and 7-on-7s, No. 2 can be seen facing the Broncos’ best receivers, forcing Wilson to look elsewhere to throw the football.
Surtain is certainly blessed athletically and physically with his family legacy in the NFL, but the most impressive aspect of his game is his preparation. I’m not talking about just lifting weights or running wind sprints for conditioning.
I’m suggesting that this Broncos defender is seeing the game in a special way, through diligent study, which allows him to play what seems like two steps ahead of the offense. While I’m sure he’s picked up on his teammates' tendencies at the receiver position, including Wilson, the passer, I can’t help but feel Surtain is going to dominate in Vance Joseph’s defense.
When Surtain isn’t on the field, he can frequently be seen communicating with safety Justin Simmons on how to improve their unit. The Broncos’ best player is also finding his place as a leader on this football team and is leading by example when it comes to competition, consistency, and discipline.
After just two days of practice, Surtain appears to be playing chess while his opponents are still playing checkers.
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