Rookie Spotlight: Jerry Jeudy, University of Alabama
Height: 6’ 1” (official)
Weight: 193 lbs (official)
Hands: 9 ½”
Arm: 32 ⅛”
40 yard dash: 4.45
NFL Comparison: Calvin Ridley

Pros
– separates with ease
– elite route runner
– excellent YAC
– great straight line acceleration
– was productive despite having elite-level teammates taking production away

Cons
– skinny frame
– lacks physicality
– bad shuttle/vertical at the combine, a 21st percentile overall SPARQ athlete

2019 Team Market Share Numbers

27% team receptions
26% team receiving yards
20% team receiving touchdowns

Scouting Notes: Jerry Jeudy is not only extremely athletic and explosive, but he also – perhaps more importantly – happens to be an elite route runner with a comprehensive route tree. Prior to his sophomore year, Jeudy was used predominantly as a deep threat, and he was good in that role. Jeudy has a knack for getting behind defenses and then turning on his burners after the catch. His straight-line speed is really impressive. But after Calvin Ridley left Alabama in 2018 and Jeudy became the defacto no.1, he really started to shine as the premier receiver on arguably the nation’s best team. Ridley became a volume receiver, picking up 1,315 yards and 14 TDS on the way to winning the Biletnikoff award for the nation’s best receiver that year. Jeudy was still the deep threat, but he showed the versatility of his game, exploiting corners in the short game to break open plays that would have been minimal gains for many receivers. He’s one of the best route-runners on tape that you’ll see, and to look like the most polished in this area given the depth of the WR class is clearly an excellent sign. There exists a small contradiction in his terrible shuttle drills which generally lend themselves to the type of agility and change-of-direction ability you generally see in excellent route-runners. Surely, he’ll look to improve his agility drills at Alabama’s pro day.

Jeudy is a whiz off the line. He’s got exemplary footwork and head movement, and he naturally gets his hips low. He is an expert at the release, and he knows how to implement his hands to offset his defender. Jeudy gets open early and easily, allowing him to turn those intermediate passes into massive gains. He’s not the most bullish tackle-breaker, but Jeudy doesn’t need to be. He’s elusive and gets to top speed quickly, so he doesn’t absorb much contact. In the blocking department, Jeudy does well enough for a player his size, but it’s not his strong suit – He’s of fairly slender build. He also doesn’t possess the ball skills or contested catch prowess of someone like CeeDee Lamb, but he’s almost always open, so it’s not as necessary.

Fantasy Outlook: Jeudy will be one of the first receivers taken in the draft, if not the first, due to his combination of athleticism and NFL readiness. Though he’s not really an asset in the return game, he’s extremely versatile on offense, and he can be plugged and played immediately. He’s already primed to be someone’s no.1 option in the passing game. He’s shown that he can play outside or inside, and he can break big plays wherever he goes. Jeudy is worthy of a pick in the first half of the first round in dynasty and at least a mid-round consideration in standard redraft formats, depending on landing spot. If he lands somewhere like Arizona or Las Vegas, he could put up offensive ROY numbers.

FROM THE ALABAMA ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT:

One of the top wideouts in the country … a first team All-American by the AFCA … earned Pro Football Focus Second Team All-America recognition … first team All-SEC selection by the league coaches … Associated Press All-SEC Second Team honoree … recorded 26 career touchdown receptions to rank second all-time in Alabama history, behind only Amari Cooper’s 31 from 2012-14 … ranks fourth on the Crimson Tide’s career receiving yards list with 2,742 yards on 159 catches … averaged 17.2 yards per catch for his career, a number that is second in UA records behind only Ozzie Newsome’s 20.3 ypc … fifth on the career receptions list for UA with 159 … totaled 100-plus yards receiving in 10 games during his career, including five matchups in 2019 … contributed one of the Tide’s three 200-plus yard performances in 2019 with his effort in the Citrus Bowl where he was selected as the game’s MVP … totaled 1,163 yards as a junior to rank third on UA’s single-season list … led all Tide wideouts with 77 catches, good for fourth in single-season history by an Alabama receiver … added 10 touchdowns to tie for fifth in the Tide’s single-season annals … recorded 29 explosive receptions of 16-plus yards, good for second on UA, and had a team-high 52 catches that converted a first down or scored a touchdown … selected as a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award and the Maxwell Player of the Year … named a second team Midseason All-American by the Associated Press … selected as a First Team Preseason All-American by six major outlets (Associated Press, Athlon, CBS Sports, The Sporting News, Sports Illustrated, USA Today) … named to the 2019 Biletnikoff Award Watch List after receiving the award in 2018 … also named to the Maxwell and Walter Camp Player of the Year Award watch lists … selected by the Alabama coaches as one of the offensive players of the week following the Duke and New Mexico State games. Duke: Hauled in a career-high 10 receptions for 137 total yards with one score … the totals were both team-best marks by Tide wideouts in Atlanta and earned him offensive player of the week recognition from the Alabama coaches. New Mexico State: Tied the Alabama single-game record for touchdown catches with three as part of his eight catches for 103 yards … earned offensive player of the week recognition from the UA coaches for his standout performance in the home opener. South Carolina: Caught six passes for 68 yards with a long gain of 30 against the Gamecocks. Southern Miss: Led the Alabama receivers with six catches totaling 96 yards and two scores. Ole Miss: Finished with 84 yards on eight catches against the Rebels … converted a Tide first down on half his receptions with a long catch of 25 yards. Texas A&M: Caught four passes, all of which helped the Tide to a first down … totaled 50 yards with a long gain of 26 against the Aggies. Tennessee: Made three catches for 41 yards against the Vols with all three receptions converting an Alabama first down. Arkansas: Recorded seven catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns – all team-high marks … converted a pair of first downs to go with his two scores against the Razorbacks. LSU: Caught five passes for 71 yards and a score in the top-five matchup. Mississippi State: Eclipsed the 100-yard marker for the fourth time this season with 114 yards on seven catches against the Bulldogs … led the Tide pass-catchers in both categories. Western Carolina: Converted a pair of first downs on his two catches, finishing with 66 totals yards on the day. Auburn: Caught five passes for 26 yards in the Iron Bowl. Michigan: Named Citrus Bowl Most Valuable Player … set a career-high mark for yards with 204 on six catches against the Wolverines … scored a touchdown on the very first play of the game from 85 yards out to tie for the season’s long scoring reception … averaged 34.0 yards per catch, a total that is third in single-game history for UA (minimum four catches).

QUOTABLE FROM THE COMBINE:

Playing for the Raiders?

To be honest I don’t really know much about the Vegas Raiders for real but I’d like to learn a lot them.

How can showcase your speed at the combine?

Just run routes how I usually run routes. Fast and explosive out of my breaks and my cuts, doing everything fast.

Playing for the Eagles?

If they trusted me to be a part of their organization I would love to be a part of it. Not really my choice to make.

Depth and talent of this WR class?

We got a lot of great receivers out here in this combine. They know how to do different things, really.

Thoughts on you being considered the top WR?

It’s very humbling really, being named one of the top receivers in the class, among all these great receivers. there’s a lot of great receivers in this class. Very humbling.

Star of David necklace meaning?

My last name, Jeudy, people sometimes call me Jeu (Jew?), like one Jew. So I got a Jewish star. I’m not Jewish though.

What separates you from the other WRs in this class?

There are some things we do different. I don’t really like to compare myself to other players but I feel I can do it all. I can play inside, I can play outside. I know how to sit in zones and find ways to get open.

What’s the biggest thing you need to work on?

I need to work on my strength and getting stronger, in this league they got bigger opponents, bigger defenders, I need to be able to get off the jam and make the blocks I need to make.

Relationship with Ruggs

We came in with each other, so we all keep each other motivated to be the best player we can be. Stepping on the field since day one, we always push each other each and every day and bring the best out of each other.

Plan for draft, going to Vegas?

I heard they are switching it up this year, with the little boat. But I don’t think I”m going to go to Vegas, I’m going to be home with my family.

Draft prep is terminology / scheme and how much did Steve Sarkisian help with that?

He came from the Falcons and an NFL offense so he brought some of that to Alabama. Learning the offensive plays, the offensive scheme really helped when I meet with these coaches, I’m already developed into knowing the offense. that really helped me.
I feel like Alabama really prepared me for all I need to know. Everything they taught me at Alabama, I”m already really prepared.

Family values:

My family really stuck by my side the whole way through this process. they’ve been there for me doing everything they need to do so I’ll be well prepared and able to focus on what I got to do. My mom is a really hard worker since I was young. I get my work ethic from her, she really works hard to put food on the table for us and take care of us. That’s where I get my work ethic from.

Catching passes from a left handed QB (Tua)

We started throwing at Alabama camp going into college. it was kind of weird at first. After three catches or something you get use to it real fast.

Case for Tua:

Tua is a great quarterback. No matter where he gets picked, I feel like he’ll come to that organization and compete like he always does. He’s a great player, can’t say anything about him being the No. 1 pick the No. 5 pick No. 10 pick, I just know the type of work he’s going to put in to being successful in the league.

Former Bama WRs like Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley helped prepare you?

He just gave me details on certain route running, he came to Bama a couple times. I train over there sometimes. I’ll probably ask him questions about how he gets open on a certain route, stuff like that. It was a great experience, always great to learn from a legend.

Want to be the 1st WR drafted?

I don’t really care where I get chosen, where I get picked. I just know where ever I go at, they’re going to get the best out of me. I’m going to come out and compete, work hard each and every day to show them why I’m the best.

Your spot in this class?

I feel like everbody should think they’re the best receiver coming out in the class. Everyone should have the feeling that they’re the best, that’s the mindset you need to have.

South Florida first-round tradition:

It would mean a lot. Just being from Florida, you’ve got a standard I’m just going to hold myself to that standard.

Carrying on Alabama WR tradition?

It’s very important. Everybody who came through Alabama had a great year, a level of success in the league and I try to hold myself to that standard.

What part of your game translates best to NFL?

My route running, knowing how to get open, knowing how to find open zones, sit in open zones, make plays.

What did you learn from playing with Lamar Jackson growing up?

I learned how to juke. He’s very elusive, so he really taught me to how to juke and make defenders miss.