In theory, the Denver Broncos’ rookie class of 2020 is the best class that John Elway has mustered in his tenure as general manager, and the impact selected players should have on the team will be far-reaching.
That said, what should the Broncos Country expect from the rookie unit after a Coronavirus-shortened offseason?
Jerry jeudy
Projected statistics: 16 starts, 70 catches, 850 yards, five touchdowns.
Jerry Jeudy is poised to have the best rookie campaign of any receiver in the 2020 class when you consider his surrounding talent and his readiness.
The best rookie catcher typically finishes around 80 catches for 1,000 yards and scores of eight-to-10, but given the negative effects a shortened offseason will have on this year’s rookies, as well as how many mouths the offense has for Broncos. feed, we are projecting that Jeudy doesn’t live up to those marks.
KJ Hamler
Projected statistics: Eight starts, 30 receptions, 550 yards, three touchdowns.
KJ Hamler won’t be a focal point of the offense from day one like Jeudy will be, but he will have more and more opportunities as the season progresses.
Hamler won’t be a volume receiver like Jeudy, either, but when he has the ball in his hands, get ready for a great play. He has the speed to get behind security devices with ease and take even a simple slanting path to the house if he gets the right angle.
Michael Ojemudia
Projected statistics: 12 starts, 60 tackles, eight passes defended, two sacks, one interception.
Michael Ojemudia needs a fair amount of polish to his coverage technique, both on the man and the area, but the Broncos are so desperate for a third starting cornerback to pair with Bryce Callahan and AJ Bouye that they will rush him to a starting role. . before it’s ready.
While there will be some drawbacks to coverage, his athleticism and physical playing style also means we’ll see him do quite a few tackles, some of which will come behind the scrimmage line, and maybe even a sack or two.
Lloyd Cushenberry III
Projected statistics: 16 openings, two bags allowed.
With Patrick Morris currently assigned to be the only Lloyd Cushenberry III competition listed for the incumbent job, Cushenberry should take over from day one and could keep that job in Denver for the next decade if everything goes according to plan. .
His youth and inexperience mean he’ll make a mistake or two that will lead to the occasional catch, but when you pair an athlete of that caliber with his high football IQ and the league’s best offensive line coach, it will work out.
McTelvin Agim
Projected statistics: 0 starts, 15 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks
McTelvin Agim might not publish the most impressive statistical line this season, but that will have more to do with the lack of opportunities he receives due to the talent ahead, rather than his own shortcomings.
As was the case with Dre’Mont Jones a season ago, we may not see a ton of Agim in 2020, but when he’s on the field, glimpses of what might be will emerge quickly.
Albert Okwuegbunam
Projected statistics: 0 starts, 20 receptions, 215 yards, four touchdowns
Considering that Pat Shurmur doesn’t usually use two tight end sets, Albert Okwuegbunam will have a limited number of snapshots, most of which should come in the red zone.
While in college, almost every time the Missouri Tigers entered the red zone, they looked at Okwuegbunam for a fade at the back of the end zone, which was almost indecipherable given its size, speed, and physique. If he was unstoppable in the SEC, professional teams will also have trouble with him, even to a lesser extent.
Justin Strnad
Projected statistics: Four starts, 40 tackles, three tackles for loss, four passes defended.
The fact that the Broncos continue to pay Todd Davis $ 6 million for the 2020 season means that Justin Strnad won’t have a chance to start from the beginning, but with his talents and instincts, it won’t be long until he sees the field.
He’s already a much better coverage linebacker than Davis, and by the end of the season, it wouldn’t be surprising if he’s a better versatile linebacker than his veteran counterpart.
Netane Muti
Projected statistics: 0 starts, 0 games played
Except for a couple of injuries, Netane Muti won’t even see the field in the first year, as he’s currently behind the starting guards and Elijah Wilkinson in the depth chart.
That said, don’t dismiss Muti entirely. He fell to the sixth round due to injuries, not his skill or ability, and if he has a chance to play, that will become apparent very quickly.
Tyrie Cleveland
Projected statistics: three receptions, 25 yards, five tackles
If it wasn’t for the skill of his special teams, there’s a good chance that Tyrie Cleveland won’t even make it to the final list. Thanks to that ability to contribute instantly to special teams, Cleveland will get a good amount as a gunner, where he should make some tackles.
Derrek Tuszka
Projected statistics: 0 starts, 0 games played
Derrek Tuszka will have an uphill climb to reach the final list and an incredibly limited amount of time to do so. Of course, Bradley Chubb and Von Miller are ahead of him in the depth chart, but so are Malik Reed, Jeremiah Attaochu, and Justin Hollins, and it seems unlikely that the Broncos have six rushers on the final roster. However, Tuszka’s enamel and motor could make them think twice.
