Denver Broncos rookie roundup: cornerback Michael Ojemudia making most of opportunity

By George Stoia December 15, 2020 | updated 5 years ago

Broncos Patriots Football — Broncos cornerback Michael Ojemudia, right, is congratulated by De’Vante Bausby, left, after he forced a New England fumble Oct. 18 in Foxborough, Mass.
The Associated Press

Following the Broncos’ Week 9 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, rookie cornerback Michael Ojemudia met with coach Vic Fangio to discuss his future.

“Whether I was either playing or not, I was always learning every week,” Ojemudia said of the first half of his rookie season. “I went to Vic’s office and he just talked to me and said, ‘Your opportunity is going to come faster than you think, so just be ready.’ Every week I’m just trying to learn and get better at at least one thing.”

Ojemudia had been playing often for the Broncos up until that point, but after the loss in which he had started, Fangio decided to go in a different direction at corner. Bryce Callahan and A.J. Bouye would start at corner and undrafted rookie Essang Bassey would start at nickel. Ojemudia spent the next two weeks on the sidelines.

Then after playing minimal snaps in Week 12, Ojemudia was back in the starting lineup against the Chiefs in Week 14 and Sunday against the Panthers, after Callahan and Bassey were put on the IR and Bouye was suspended six games.

And Ojemudia has taken full advantage since, playing every defensive snap in the last two games and combining for 11 tackles and one pass deflection. Since that discussion with Fangio, Ojemudia has put his head down and worked.

“Yeah, it was a tough conversation because obviously as a competitor you never want to sit and watch,” Ojemudia said. “During the week my mindset never really changed. I always just kept working — during special teams do the best and just try to make a play any way you can and try to be a spark plug. My mindset never changed, I always just kept working. It definitely sucked, but it’s just part of the growth process.”

Here’s how Ojemudia and the other Broncos rookies are performing heading into Week 15.

2020 Broncos rookies

Jerry Jeudy, wide receiver

School: Alabama

Pick: Round 1, No. 15

Analysis: Among rookies, Jeudy ranks eighth in receptions (40), sixth in yards (636) and is tied for ninth in touchdowns (2). After catching only one pass for 5 yards against Kansas City, Jeudy caught two for 42 yards against the Panthers.

K.J. Hamler, wide receiver

School: Penn State

Pick: Round 2, No. 46

Analysis: Hamler’s role in the offense increased even more this week, catching two passes for 86 yards and two touchdowns, getting behind the Panthers’ defense for 37- and 49-yard touchdowns. He’s caught 29 passes for 377 yards and three touchdowns this year.

Michael Ojemudia, cornerback

School: Iowa

Pick: Round 3, No. 77

Analysis: Against the Chiefs and Panthers, Ojemudia played every defensive snap in Callahan’s and Bouye’s absence. Among rookie corners, Ojemudia has played the fourth-most coverage snaps (408) and has the ninth-highest coverage grade (51.3), allowing completions 65.6 percent of the time, according to Pro Football Focus.

Lloyd Cushenberry III, center

School: LSU

Pick: Round 3, No. 83

Analysis: Cushenberry has played every offensive snap for the Broncos this season, but is second to last among rookie offensive linemen in blocking, according to Pro Football Focus. He’s allowed 26 quarterback pressures, 19 hurries, four sacks and three hits.

McTelvin Agim, defensive end

School: Arkansas

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Pick: Round 3, No. 95

Analysis: After Agim did not play against the Chiefs, he played 22 percent of the defensive snaps against the Panthers, coming up with one solo tackle. He has seven tackles and one pass deflection this season.

Albert Okwuegbunam, tight end

School: Missouri

Pick: Round 4, No. 118

Analysis: Before tearing his ACL against Atlanta, Okwuegbunam had 11 receptions for 121 yards and one touchdown. Among rookie tight ends, he’s still fourth in receptions and third in yards and touchdowns.

Justin Strnad, linebacker

School: Wake Forest

Pick: Round 5, No. 178

Analysis: Placed on IR with season-ending wrist surgery.

Netane Muti, guard

School: Fresno State

Pick: Round 6, No. 181

Analysis: Before Sunday, Muti had not played a snap for the Broncos, but made his first start at right guard in place of the injured Graham Glasgow. He finished with a grade of 60.8, allowing one sack and three quarterback pressures, according to Pro Football Focus.

Tyrie Cleveland, wide receiver

School: Florida

Pick: Round 7, No. 252

Analysis: Cleveland did not play Sunday against the Panthers due to illness.

Derrek Tuszka, linebacker

School: North Dakota State

Pick: Round 7, No. 254

Analysis: Tuszka was placed on the IR following the Kansas City game in Week 8, but was activated last week and returned to practice.

Essang Bassey, cornerback

School: Wake Forest

Pick: Undrafted

Paul Klee

paul-klee@midtc.com

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