The contrast between Green Bay and Denver’s situations is striking. The Packers are on the brink of ending their relationship with an aging Hall of Famer. They’re looking to build a bright future around Jordan Love and they have a boat load of draft capital to get it done.
The Broncos are in the early stages of their commitment to a different aging Hall of Famer. A commitment that, along with acquiring new head coach Sean Payton, has mined the team of any meaningful early draft opportunities. Denver is without a pick in the first three rounds this year.
Could the circumstances create a perfect match as these teams cross one another on the Jerry Jeudy pass? Is the Aaron Rodgers trade the key to Green Bay acquiring the young Bronco receiver?
For potential suitors, the Broncos’ asking price for Jeudy is not cheap. Per ESPN’s Jeff Legwold, Denver is looking to receive a first or second round pick in exchange for Jeudy, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract.
The Packers reportedly went after Juedy(and others) at the trade deadline last year, ultimately falling short.
Last week the New York Jets traded Elijah Moore to the Cleveland Browns. The deal included a pick swap allowing the Jets to turn their 2023 third rounder into a second. New York now holds the 42nd and 43rd overall picks in the draft.
Green Bay reportedly remains unwilling to move off what they believe is proper compensation for Rodgers. Many speculated the Jets latest acquisition could be the key to a compromise. Would Green Bay move off their desire for a first rounder in lieu of two seconds? Would they be more likely to do so if they knew one of those second rounders could lead to Jeudy?
A perennial breakout candidate, Jeudy is coming off of a career best 2022 season where he caught 67 passes, six touchdowns, and was 28 yards shy of 1,000 yards. All of this while Russell Wilson and the Broncos offense were abysmal.
Denver is the perfect storm of previous disaster and current desperation. They’ve been so bad on offense throughout Jeudy’s young career that no one can properly assess his talent and potential. Last year the Broncos offense was so incredulous it led to the firing of a first year head coach. Watching the Hackett and Wilson led Broncos try to score was like watching a fish try to go for a jog.
Brian Gutekunst has an opportunity to buy low on someone with extreme upside. If the Packers could receive two seconds in the Rodgers deal and the Broncos were willing to take a high second rounder for Jeudy, Green Bay could add a talented young receiver to the room while still possessing three picks in the first two rounds.
Christian Watson is explosive but young. Expectations in year two will be high, but patience is key. The second year North Dakota State receiver has room to grow in route running and execution. These are not problems with Jeudy. According to Scotty Payne of the mile high report Jeudy “has the explosive ability to take a quick slant to the house or serve as a consistent deep threat as well. Add in his elite route-running ability and you have a potential matchup nightmare.”
“He is the Broncos’ biggest play-making weapon on the roster.” Payne continued. “That’s not shade thrown at Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick, Javonte Williams, and others, but just how talented Jeudy is.”
The once prolific passing offense of the Packers sputtered its way to 17th in passing yards per game last season. Aaron Rodgers went from winning back to back MVP awards to throwing the most interceptions since his first year as a starter seemingly overnight. Jerry Jeudy doesn’t have to be the best receiver in the game to be worth his asking price. At worst Jeudy could serve as a working class Davante Adams. At best he grows, in a healthy environment, into a future monster. Add that to the potential of Watson and Romeo Doubs and you could have a blissful Jordan Love.
The 13th pick in the draft is beyond appealing. Green Bay’s stubborn approach is logical. Pairing it with the 15th overall pick would give the Green and Gold an opportunity to accelerate a rebuild in warp speed if they were to hit on both. But if two second round picks are an option and the Broncos would consider one of those in return for Jeudy, Gutekunst and the Packers front office should take a long, hard look at that path.
