Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy Floated as Trade Commodity by NFL Insider
Jerry Jeudy is coming off an impressive third year with the Denver Broncos. His production down the stretch was phenomenal, and because it came so late in the season, perhaps it would be inaccurate to categorize Jeudy's 2022 season as a true 'breakout' campaign.
But with Sean Payton assuming the head coach mantle in Denver, 2023 could be Jeudy's true NFL coming-out party. That is, if the Broncos keep him.
Per UStadium on Twitter, Sports Illustrated's NFL insider Albert Breer floated Jeudy this week as a potential trade piece this offseason. From the outside looking in, it's understandable how the suddenly uber-valuable Jeudy would be perceived as a trade commodity.
Inside Dove Valley, it's highly unlikely that Jeudy will be placed on the trading block. He's young (23) and coming off his most explosive season as a pro in an offense that was the worst in the NFL.
Payton is licking his chops at what Mile High Magic he could conjure with Jeudy at wide receiver. The Broncos will soon have to decide on whether to exercise Jeudy's fifth-year option, which, at this point, is only a matter of course.
After starting off the 2022 season relatively slowly, Jeudy exploded in the final six games of the campaign, totaling 37 receptions for 523 yards and three touchdowns. He finished his third year with 67 receptions for 972 yards and six scores, all of which led Denver's receiving corps.
Courtland Sutton became second fiddle to Jeudy. The rapport and chemistry Jeudy established with Russell Wilson late in the year makes him extremely valuable to the Payton regime moving forward.
You know who didn't seemingly vibe with Wilson? Sutton. And considering that the Broncos have another well-paid possession receiver coming back from a torn ACL this year — Tim Patrick — if anyone in Denver's receiving corps is expendable and perhaps still valuable enough around the league to garner some premium draft capital in a trade, it's Sutton.
Sutton only scored twice in 2022, missing two games, and finishing with 64 receptions (on 109 targets) for 829 yards. Wilson tried force-feeding Sutton the ball, but the two could never really get on the same page.
However, beggars can't be choosers. Let's not forget that the Broncos finished as the worst scoring offense in the NFL (16.9 ppg).
Payton will need all the king's horses and all the king's men to put this Humpty-Dumpty back together again.
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