Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy’s 2020 season consisted of ups and downs given the team’s quarterback situation. His fantasy football outlook and ADP are interesting in 2021 due to the return of receiver Courtland Sutton — is Jeudy the Broncos’ receiver to have on your roster this season?
Jerry Jeudy’s fantasy outlook for 2021
Jeudy caught 52 of 113 targets for 856 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns as a rookie. This was underwhelming, considering he played without Sutton for most of the year. Still, there are some reasons to be optimistic about Jeudy’s fantasy outlook for 2021.
An alternative view of Jeudy’s rookie season
The rookie accumulated an astounding 1,522 receiving air yards (indicates how far a pass traveled in the air before it was caught). The only other receivers with more last season were DJ Moore (1,545), DK Metcalf (1,687), Tyreek Hill (1,713), Stefon Diggs (1,713), and Calvin Ridley (2,052). Jeudy also led the Broncos in targets and commanded 30% of the team’s receiving air yards.
Many are quick to point out Jeudy’s number of drops last season, but context is important. Jeudy caught passes from quarterbacks Drew Lock, Brett Rypien, and Jeff Driskel. Were you aware that only 74 of his 113 targets were catchable? Jeudy was exceptional at route running and separating from defenders, but the quarterbacks could not properly deliver the football.
Jeudy did close out his rookie season on a positive note in Week 17. He finished that game with a season-high 140 receiving yards. Given the suboptimal circumstances, Jeudy had a solid season.
The Broncos have a plethora of pass-catching weapons, highlighted by receivers Jeudy, Sutton, KJ Hamler, and tight end Noah Fant. Denver also has a strong running game with Melvin Gordon and rookie Javonte Williams. The Broncos’ quarterback play will improve in 2021, especially with Teddy Bridgewater at the helm.
The Broncos’ quarterback and offensive line situation in 2021
Bridgewater finished 2020 as the fantasy QB18 while completing 69% of his passes. He does a great job of positioning passes on target to assist his receivers. Bridgewater is also efficient in throwing the football downfield. He was named the Broncos’ starter over Lock late last month.
The quarterback change benefits Jeudy more than Sutton and Hamler. Bridgewater heavily targeted the second-year receiver at OTAs, and that rapport continued into the preseason. Jeudy’s precise route-running ability and lethal after-the-catch skills mesh well with Bridgewater.
Jeudy could easily see 100+ targets in 2021 playing alongside Sutton. Nick Kosmider of The Athletic mentioned that Jeudy has “looked sharp during offseason workouts open to media members” and selected him as a breakout candidate.
Denver will have a high percentage of their starters on the offensive line returning this season. This should allow the Broncos to improve in pass protection and ultimately help the passing game.
Fantasy projection
Jeudy finished as a WR3+ in 88% of his games in 2020. He projects for around 130 targets, 75 receptions, 1,000 receiving yards, and 6 touchdowns in 2021. Jeudy ran nearly 29% of his routes last season out of the slot. This trend will continue in 2021, but Jeudy will be a mismatch nightmare for defenses whether he’s deployed inside or outside.
Jerry Jeudy’s ADP
Jeudy has a 0.5 PPR ADP of 85.3 on Fleaflicker. In contrast, Jeudy has an ADP of 61.87 as the WR26 overall in pay-to-play fantasy formats such as the National Fantasy Championship. Meanwhile, Jeudy’s ADP on Sleeper is 80.6.
Should you draft Jeudy in 2021?
Jeudy can be viewed as a high-end WR3 with significant upside. Since 2010, only 23 rookie receivers have had 110+ targets. Yet, Jeudy is the only one of these receivers to finish their rookie season with less than 60 receptions.
With Bridgewater under center, Jeudy provides you with a WR1 ceiling in 2021.