5 NFL wide receivers who could break out in the 2021 season

3. Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos

Jerry Jeudy, CeeDee Lamb and Henry Ruggs III — in some order — were agreed upon as the top-three wide receiver prospects in the 2020 draft. They ended up being the first three players selected at the position with Jeudy finding his home with the Denver Broncos. But while Ruggs and Lamb landed in good quarterback situations, that was not the case for Jeudy.

Throughout his rookie season, this is the group of players who Jeudy caught passes from: Drew Lock, Brett Rypien, Jeff Driskel and Kendall Hinton — the latter being a practice squad wide receiver who was called up in an emergency to play because he took snaps at quarterback in college. Lock was the best of that group but, even then, he’s a bottom-tier NFL quarterback.

Despite the quarterback play, Jeudy didn’t help himself, namely with drops. However, that’s something that should positively regress in the 2021 season. Moreover, Jeudy should benefit from Courtland Sutton, who ended last season with a torn ACL, returning to the fold.

All told, Jeudy is still an elite young route-runner who is loaded with talent. As Teddy Bridgewater heads to Denver and possibly takes over at quarterback, the Alabama product should be able to find his form and put forth some impressive numbers in year two.