Jerry Jeudy named worst Broncos draft pick in last 5 years, who does team take in redo?

The Denver Broncos used their first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft (No. 15 overall) to select Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy. At the time, it was a pick that brought plenty of excitement with it. But Jeudy never meshed well with the Broncos. 

The team traded him to the Cleveland Browns ahead of the 2024 season and he had his best season in the league last year. That included a performance against the Broncos on Monday Night Football last year that had Broncos fans in disbelief. That night, Jeudy caught nine passes for 235 yards and a touchdown. It was the best game of his career thus far.

But that was in Cleveland. In Denver, he never came close to living up to his status as a first-round pick and Matt Holder of Bleacher Report chose Jeudy as the worst pick made by the Broncos in the last five drafts. Holder decided to do a re-draft for each team's worst pick in the last five years, and that led to a harsh reminder of who the Broncos could have had. 

"Original Pick: WR Jerry Jeudy at No. 15 (2020)

Jeudy’s time in Denver wasn’t that bad, as he compiled 211 catches for 3,053 yards and 11 touchdowns in four seasons. However, the Alabama product didn’t live up to the hype with no 1,000-yard campaigns or Pro Bowl appearances for the Broncos, and the only other options for Denver are Patrick Surtain II and Bo Nix. 

Also, his tenure with the club didn’t end particularly well, as he asked for a trade and the front office obliged by sending him to the Cleveland Browns for fifth- and sixth-round picks. Then, Jeudy had a career year in 2024 with 90 grabs and 1,229 yards to make his first Pro Bowl appearance.

New Pick: WR CeeDee Lamb (originally 17th by the Dallas Cowboys)

On top of Jeudy’s breakout season in Cleveland, part of what makes that pick hurt in Denver is that Lamb was taken just two picks later. It’s safe to say the Broncos would go with the four-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro in a 2020 draft do-over", wrote Holder. 

In addition to Lamb, Justin Jefferson was taken at No. 22. The Broncos went with Jeudy over both of them and they are now two of the best wide receivers in the league. Jeudy isn't anywhere close to their level. On top of that, Jeudy had a poor attitude and was generally an unlikable player during his tenure in the Mile High City. 

The fifth and sixth-round picks that the team got for him seemed just fine at the time and despite having a big year last year, no one in Broncos Country should be upset that he's no longer around. 

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