The Colts have a number of needs heading into the draft. Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy could be the piece that brings the unstoppable one-two punch back to Indianapolis.
The Colts have an array of needs heading into the 2020 NFL Draft. From quarterback to defensive back, the team’s draft strategy is completely up in the air as April nears. With their 13th overall pick, general manager Chris Ballard and the front office could land a future franchise quarterback with prospects such as Oregon’s Justin Herbert or Jordan Love out of Utah State. They can also draft South Carolina’s Javon Kinlaw or Iowa’s A.J. Epenesa to get their defensive line to the top of the NFL.
However, the most critical position to draft for is the wide receiver position. It’s known that the Colts do see great potential in the aforementioned quarterbacks (coupled with the growing free agent rumors surrounding Indianapolis).
However, with generational talents at wide receiver likely to be gone by the time the Colts’ 2nd pick arrives (34th overall), it’s crucial that the team nails down the struggling wide receiver position to aid to whichever signal-caller starts in week one for the team.
With the injury bug hitting the Indianapolis group, they turned to returner Zach Pascal and Marcus Johnson to step up as primary receiving targets for the team. This won’t work next season; the team needs to have a primary pass-catcher to step up if injuries to T.Y. Hilton and Parris Campbell return next year. This draft class is full of elite talent at the position, and the Colts can select one of the most dynamic players at his position in Jerry Jeudy.
What immediately stands out for Jeudy is his route-running ability. The sharpness and quickness at the top of his routes allow him to find open space in the pockets of the defense. Similar to that of T.Y. Hilton, Jeudy’s speed hits a second level after the catch, allowing him to burn opposing defenders.
The Colts’ primary offensive scheme is run-based with short and intermediate passes; this is where Jeudy thrives as a receiver. He is the candidate most fit to aid Hilton and TE Jack Doyle and revive the group to one of the league’s best.
It’s unclear whether or not Devin Funchess, who was placed on injured reserve following week one, will return to play for the team next season. Given that he hasn’t shown anything on the field in his lone season, it shouldn’t come as a shock to see Funchess back on another one-year ‘prove it’ deal.
Regardless of how that situation plays out, Jeudy would still fit very nicely across from Hilton and with Funchess. Jeudy’s greatest strengths are very similar to a former Colts receiver, Reggie Wayne, who played most of his career as the Number 2 receiver opposite from Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison. Look how that pair turned out. Hilton and Jeudy could very well be the beginning of a familiar one-two punch at the receiver position.