Jerry Jeudy Fantasy Outlook 2023: Draft Broncos' WR Amid Injury Concerns

Jerry Jeudy's disappointing start to his career and recent hamstring injury raise concerns for fantasy football owners. His potential is high, but the risk is also significant.

Jerry Jeudy's career has gotten off to a disappointing start, with underwhelming statistics of 52.3 catches, 765 yards, and nine total touchdowns in his first three seasons. Injuries have played a significant role in these lackluster numbers, and unfortunately, a preseason hamstring issue threatens to further hinder Jeudy's performance at the start of the 2023 season. As fantasy football drafts approach, owners are left wondering what to do with Denver's presumed WR1.

There's no denying that Jeudy possesses talent, but the time has come for him to prove himself as a former first-round draft pick. Denver is placing their hopes on offensive guru Sean Payton to bring out the best in Jeudy, as well as quarterback Russell Wilson. However, the new injury could potentially impede this process.

Let's delve into Jeudy's 2023 fantasy outlook and determine whether he is a wise draft pick for fantasy football leagues.

Jeudy suffered a hamstring injury during practice on August 24th, and it was later announced that he is expected to miss "several weeks." This likely means that he will be sidelined for at least Week 1, and it wouldn't be surprising if his absence extends into Weeks 2 and 3.

In essence, if you choose to take a chance on Jeudy, you should be prepared for him to miss the first month of the season. If he does make a return before that, consider it a bonus.

According to SN Fantasy's rankings, Jeudy is currently ranked as the 28th wide receiver in both standard and PPR formats. While there is potential for a higher finish, it is difficult to rely on Jeudy for consistent production until we witness the Broncos' offense thriving under Sean Payton's guidance.

FantasyPros reveals that Jeudy's average draft position (ADP) is 54 in PPR formats and 56 in standard formats. This translates to him being the 23rd wide receiver off the board in both PPR and standard leagues.

In PPR formats, other wide receivers being drafted around the same time as Jeudy include D.J. Moore, Terry McLaurin, Christian Watson, and Mike Williams. In standard formats, the WRs include DeAndre Hopkins, Watson, McLaurin, and Drake London.

Despite missing two games last season, Jeudy had his most successful year, recording 67 catches (out of 100 targets) for 972 yards and six touchdowns. With a more efficient and pass-heavy offense, his production is expected to improve. Despite facing competition from other talented players like Courtland Sutton, Greg Dulcich, Marvin Mims, and Javonte Williams, Jeudy is likely to stand out as the primary option in the passing game.

The Denver Broncos allowed the most sacks in the league last season. However, if their offensive line improves significantly, as many experts predict, it will greatly benefit quarterback Russell Wilson and the entire offense. This, in turn, will elevate Jeudy's performance and increase his potential for scoring opportunities.

Injury risk is always a concern when drafting a player who is already dealing with injuries, like Jeudy. Draft Sharks' injury predictor categorizes him as "high risk" and projects him to miss 2.3 games in the 2023 season. Given his current situation, this projection may even be conservative, and the risk of further injuries later in the season remains high.

Once again, Jeudy has the potential to exceed his ADP if he only misses a game or two and breaks out in Denver's revamped offense. However, the risk is evident. The positive aspect is that when he is on the field, Jeudy has shown a higher floor, meaning he is unlikely to disappoint solely based on production. If you have decent backup options, using a sixth-round pick on Jeudy could prove to be a wise move. It is best not to reach for him much earlier unless there are positive reports coming out of Denver. If Jeudy is expected to be ready for Week 1, he could potentially be worth a fourth-round pick.