Can Jerry Jeudy deliver on Chad Johnson’s predicted production?

Denver Post Broncos writer Ryan O’Halloran posts his Broncos Mailbag periodically during the off-season. Submit questions to Ryan here.

Is there a reason the Broncos did not pick up one undrafted college player following the draft? If memory serves me correct, the team has always found a gem that makes the final roster.

— Bob, Bakersfield, Calif.

The Broncos’ wont is to not announce any undrafted free agent additions until they’re in the building for rookie camp, pass their physical and sign their contracts.

We’re not a fan of this process — other teams were announcing undrafted rookies on the night of the draft. Let these kids enjoy the publicity during the two weeks between agreeing to terms and getting to the Denver area. Alas, I’ll keep working on it.

Because of their colleges or agents announcing the moves, I narrowed down on 13 undrafted free agents who will sign later this week.

Ryan, how’s the running back situation looking? Last year, Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams split carries. Is it going to be more of the same this year or are we getting a clear No. 1 back?

— Mark, Arvada

Agree or disagree with the decision to bring back Gordon, the Broncos are set with their Nos. 1-2 tailbacks and it should be 1. Williams and 2. Gordon. Last year, they each had 203 carries, but Gordon started every game he was active. That should change this year.

Williams should take the first offensive series and maybe the second to see if he can get into an early-game rhythm. Gordon could be looked at as the primary third-down back — at least that’s what his contract suggests, awarding him incentives for receiving statistics in addition to team wins.

Chad Johnson said Jerry Jeudy is going to break out for 1,500 yards and 10 touchdowns. That would be amazing if it happens, but what do you think are realistic numbers for Jeudy this year?

— Vinh N., Colorado Springs

Johnson tweeted that prediction last week. Those are heady numbers, though. Last year, 1,500 yards receiving would have ranked fourth in the league behind the Rams’ Cooper Kupp (1,947), Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson (1,616) and Green Bay’s Davante Adams (1,553). Ten touchdown catches would have been tied for sixth-most behind Kupp (16), Tampa Bay’s Mike Evans (14), Cincinnati’s Ja’Maar Chase (13), Seattle’s DK Metcalf (12) and Adams (11).

The football is going to be passed around to the Broncos’ skill-position talent this year so 1,500 yards and 10 touchdowns is a lofty goal for Jeudy, but if he gets to 1,200 yards and eight touchdowns, he will have taken a giant leap in Year 3.

What’s next for the Broncos to work on? I liked that they picked up tight end Greg Dulcich and edge rusher Nik Bonitto in the draft, but it feels like we could use more depth on the O-line (Russell Wilson is no good if he gets clobbered all the time) and maybe get another inside linebacker or two. Can we still afford to sign Alexander Johnson to a new contract?

— Max, Denver

Yes, they checked important boxes at edge rusher and tight end by drafting Bonitto and Dulcich in rounds 2-3. And yes, I was expecting them to do more with their offensive line and inside linebacker depth.

The Broncos didn’t draft a right tackle or an inside linebacker, leaving Billy Turner and Calvin Anderson to compete at right tackle and Alex Singleton as the inside-track favorite to start alongside Josey Jewell at linebacker.

I have a feeling I will need extra sheets of notebook paper during training camp to keep track of all the offensive line combinations.