“All-around” receiver Jeudy could contribute immediately

EDITOR’S NOTE: One of a series of profiles on draft prospects who would fit the Broncos’ needs.

Catches on consecutive plays of his final college game show why Alabama receiver Jerry Jeudy shouldn’t get past the Broncos in next month’s NFL draft.

The Crimson Tide led Michigan 21-16 early in the fourth quarter.

Third-and-11 from the Tide’s 8-yard line: Running out of a bunch right formation, Jeudy’s crisp out route allowed him to get open for 14 yards.

First-and-10 from the Tide’s 22: Jeudy ran straight ahead and gave a head bob to give the impression of a go or another out route. Nope. The Michigan defender, off balance by the fake, couldn’t catch Jeudy as he ran an over route for a 58-yard gain (40 yards post-catch).

Alabama scored two plays later and won 35-16.

Two Nfl-type plays by an Nfl-ready receiver.

“What more can you say about the guy?” Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said at the NFL scouting combine. “I think I’ve used up all the words in the vocabulary. He’s a competitor. He’s soft-spoken, but fiery. Watch his tape and he’s just ‘the man’ out there.”

Jeudy, who turns 21 next month, was one of the main men on Alabama’s offense the past two years. Jeudy won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top receiver in 2018 (77 catches-1,163 yards-14 touchdowns) and led Bama in receiving last year (77-1,163-10).

The run on receivers in the draft should start outside the top 10 picks.

Barring a trade up, the Broncos, drafting at No. 15, must receive help to get Jeudy. They need Las Vegas at No. 12 to prefer Oklahoma’s Ceedee Lamb and San Francisco at No. 13 to choose Alabama’s Henry Ruggs.

“I feel like everybody should think they’re the best receiver coming out in the class,” Jeudy said.

Jeudy was one of the nation’s best high school receivers when he signed with Alabama, continuing the Miami area-to-tuscaloosa receiver shuttle.

Jeudy followed Amari Cooper and Calvin Ridley (both first-round picks) in spurning the Florida programs.

Jeudy had 14 catches as a freshman to set up his breakthrough sophomore year. As a junior, he had five 100-yard games. Two games last year showed how special he can be. Against Arkansas, he had seven catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns. He caught a pop pass and two bubbles early on before scoring a 40-yard touchdown on an over route. Jeudy can break tackles and has awareness of avoiding the big hit while gaining extra yards.

Against Michigan, he had six catches for 204 yards and one touchdown. The score came on the game’s first play — 85 yards (43 post-catch) on a post route. Jeudy also caught passes lined up slot right, wide right and after going in motion.

Asked how his game translates to the NFL, Jeudy said: “My route-running, knowing how to get open, knowing how to find the open zones and sit in those zones, and make plays. I don’t really like to compare myself to other plays, but I feel I can do it all.”

Crimson Tide safety Xavier Mckinney had a close look at Jeudy through practice.

“Fast, quick, runs good routes, can catch the ball — all-around wide receiver,” Mckinney said.

It will be up to the Broncos and the other teams to decide when to draft a receiver and what type they prefer. But there could be value all the way into day 3.