The Cleveland Browns have made a significant move to strengthen their receiving corps by acquiring wide receiver Jerry Jeudy in a trade with the Denver Broncos. According to sources, the Browns will send a 2024 fifth- and sixth-round pick to Denver to complete the trade. However, the deal cannot be finalized until the new league year begins on Wednesday.
Sources reveal that the Browns have been interested in Jeudy since last offseason. With the Broncos undergoing a roster revamp and parting ways with quarterback Russell Wilson, Jeudy became more available for trade. The addition of Jeudy will provide Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson with another reliable option in the passing game, joining Pro Bowl wide receiver Amari Cooper and Pro Bowl tight end David Njoku.
Jeudy, who will turn 25 next month, had a solid season in 2023, recording 54 receptions for 758 yards and two touchdowns. As a 2020 first-round pick, Jeudy is entering the final year of his rookie contract after the Broncos exercised his fifth-year option last year. He is set to earn nearly $13 million in 2024. Interestingly, Jeudy, Cooper, and wide receiver Elijah Moore, whom the Browns acquired instead of Jeudy last offseason, are all entering their final season under contract.
The departure of Jeudy from Denver opens up opportunities for other players on the Broncos’ roster. Broncos coach Sean Payton has expressed his desire to give wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. a bigger role in the offense. Mims, who was the Broncos’ second-round pick last year and earned a Pro Bowl selection as a returner, currently plays the same position as Jeudy in the team’s personnel groupings. He saw action on offense for 384 snaps last season, accounting for 38% of the team’s plays.
The trade involving Jeudy is part of the Broncos’ efforts to clear salary cap space and make additional moves before the start of the new league year. Over the past five days, the Broncos have managed to clear nearly $50 million in cap space while also acquiring two draft picks.
The acquisition of Jerry Jeudy is a significant move for the Cleveland Browns as they aim to strengthen their receiving corps. With Jeudy joining forces with Deshaun Watson, Amari Cooper, and David Njoku, the Browns’ passing game is poised to become even more formidable. On the other hand, the Denver Broncos will have to adjust their offensive strategy following Jeudy’s departure, potentially giving Marvin Mims Jr. a larger role in the offense. As the new league year approaches, it will be interesting to see how these moves impact both teams’ performances in the upcoming season.
