We're just about to kick off the first week of the NFL season, and its time to make some predictions about the rookies that might make some contributions to the team starting game 1 and all season.
Jerry Jeudy - 109 Targets, 73 Catches, 794 Yards, 5 TDS
Jeudy is a tough one to predict exactly where he;s going to be at. The Broncos had been linked to a wideout all during the lead up to the draft, and there were a lot of people that thought Jeudy might be the best there was. However, he steps into a shortened offseason with a QB who has 5 career starts, and is going to have to fight for touches with Courtland Sutton, KJ Hamler, Tim Patrick and Noah Fant at the TE spot. He could potentially go the way of Mike Evans with Vincent Jackson, or peraps end up closer to Brandin Cooks in New Orleans.
KJ Hamler - 62 Targets, 39 Catches, 598 Yards, 5 TDs
Hamler like Jeudy steps into a bit of a crowd of offensive weapons, and he's currently nursing a hamstring injury. Hamler is a big play threat every time he touches the ball though, so he will certainly get looks. He's had some issues with drops though, so I might be a bit high on his catch rate.
Michael Ojemudia - 34 Tackles, 5 Passes Defensed, 1 Int
Ojemudia steps into a potentially interesting role. He profiles as a sort of combo CB/S like Kareem Jackson and Duke Dawson, players Vic Fangio likes to have. With the somewhat srprising release of Bausby, Ojemudia might be able to wrestle the other starting job from Devante Harris. If not though, he'll still likely be a good special team contributor.
Lloyd Cushenberry - 16 starts, 3 Penalties
Cushenberry pretty easily took over the starting Center job in camp, and I was very high on him coming into the draft. Easily my favorite pick of this draft. Hopefully he helps to solidify a unit that has certainly struggled the last few years.
Mctelvin Agim - 13 Tackles, 4 Pressures, 1 Sack
Agim was a bit of a surprise pick, but he again fits a Vic Fangio type. Playing mostly at DE in his time at Arkansas, he moved inside later in his career. That versatility fits with Dre-mont Jones and Jurrell Casey as players that can be lined up anywhere. He's in a fairly heavy rotation and needs to develop better strength at the point of attack, but he could have some good flashes this year,
Albert Okweugbunam - 25 Targets, 14 Catches, 200 yards, 2 TDs
The Broncos reunited Drew Lock with one of his favorite targets from college. Albert O however is inside one of the most crowded roster spots on the team now at TE, and the Broncos also have a full WR corps that will need touches. He could do some damage though split out and creating mismatches with a 4.5 speed.
Netane Muti - 0 Starts, 0 Penalties
Muti spent a lot of time injured in college, but he was an absolute monster when he played. The Broncos are fairly set on the interior line, so Muti will likely have a season to work on strength and maybe spot duty.
Tyrie Cleveland - 14 Targets , 9 Catches, 109 yards
Cleveland makes the team as an absolute atheltic freak, testing in the 70th% in almsot everything at the combine. He has raw talent, but this year will likely be more of a learning year and special teams contributions.
Derrek Tuszuka - PS
Not really a big prediction this year, but its likely Tuszka sees some limited game time if there are any injuries to the OLB group. But even with Bradley Chubb nursing a sore knee, his chances of supplanting Malik Reed or Jeremiah Attaochu is pretty low this year.
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