Report: Broncos 'Assessing' Trade Offers for WR Jerry Jeudy
The flurry of activity this week at Denver Broncos HQ has not been limited to free-agent signings. Denver's phones have reportedly been ringing with trade inquiries about wide receiver Jerry Jeudy.
In the weeks leading up to the new league year opening, the rumor mill cranked out several choice nuggs of intrigue surrounding the Broncos' receiving corps. Jeudy's name was floated, as was Courtland Sutton's.
However, it sounds like the primary subject of the trade inquiries the Broncos have fielded this week is Jeudy. The Atheltic's Jeff Howe reported on Wednesday that the Broncos' price to trade Jeudy is steep and that GM George Paton, and, ostensibly, head coach Sean Payton are "assessing his value" before deciding whether to consummate a deal.
"Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy's name has continued to come up in trade conversations, per source, but Denver's price has remained high. Sounds like they're assessing his value before proceeding," Howe tweeted.
"Jerry Jeudy has been a hot name this week," Howe continued on Twitter. "The Broncos’ asking price on Jeudy has been at least a first-round pick, per sources."
The Broncos selected Jeudy No. 15 overall in the 2020 NFL draft out of Alabama. After a very encouraging rookie campaign, Jeudy produced a sophomore slump, mainly due to injuries, failing to find the end zone even once.
However, down the stretch of Jeudy's third season, something clicked between him and quarterback Russell Wilson, as the wideout unleashed a barrage of production, including one three-touchdown performance vs. Kansas City in Week 14. Plugged into Payton's offense with a hopefully improved Wilson, there's no telling what Jeudy's ceiling could be entering Year 4.
That's if the Broncos hold onto him. However, considering the team's overall lack of draft capital this year, no trade should be perceived as beyond the pale.
The New England Patriots have been hotly linked to Jeudy, but unless Bill Belichick, or any other team, is willing to part with a first-round draft pick for a player who's yet to produce a 1,000-yard receiving season as a pro, odds are, Jeudy will get his chance to shine in Payton's scheme.
The caveat, though, is this: when it comes to rumors surrounding Paton's Broncos, where there's smoke, there's fire — more often than not. That's no guarantee that Paton trades the just 23-year-old Jeudy, but with this much noise out there, I don't disbelieve for a moment that the phones are a-ringin' at UCHealth Training Center.
Follow Mile High Huddle on Twitter and Facebook.
Subscribe to Mile High Huddle on YouTube for daily Broncos live-stream podcasts!
