On Saturday, the Denver Broncos made it clear they’re rebuilding. They traded away top receiver Jerry Jeudy to the Cleveland Browns for a fourth and fifth-round pick in this year’s draft. How does this impact both teams, more specifically the Browns?
The Browns Offense Becomes More Dangerous
With the Browns making the playoffs last season, they did so under the leadership of quarterback Joe Flacco. The late-season acquisition could be back under center as the starter next season, and he sure could use a WR2.
Even better, why not have two WR1s? With Amari Cooper and Jeudy, whoever is under center will have plenty of firepower to depend on and help move the ball down the field.
Cooper finished with his fourth 1,000-yard season in five years, catching 72 balls and five touchdowns in the process. No other wideout finished with even 900 yards.
Defenses knew Cooper was the most dangerous guy on the offense, and would put their best cornerback on him. Now, with the acquisition of Jeudy, they will have to pick and choose.
Jeudy has never surpassed 1,000 yards in his short, four-year career. 2023 was a down year, catching just 54 balls for 758 yards and two touchdowns.
But, let’s not forget what he’s capable of doing. His best season in 2022 consisted of leading the team in receiving. He amassed 67 catches for 972 yards and six touchdowns. That year, no one had more than two touchdown receptions.
Just 25-years-old, he’s still one of the youngest receivers in the league. As the 15th overall pick in the 2020 draft, there’s no doubt he can revive his career in Cleveland if he can stay healthy (and can replicate his 2022 self).
Cleveland won this trade, easily. Adding a weapon like Jeudy will do wonders for this offense in 2024.
As For The Broncos, They Weren’t Total Losers…
Steve Smith wasn’t lying when he called Jerry Jeudy a “JAG”
— Denver Broncos 365 (@DailyBroncos) March 9, 2024
“JUST A GUY who’s an average WR they used a 1st round pick on that doesn’t do anything” pic.twitter.com/kr0At65o4F
Yes, you read that. Denver didn’t completely lose this trade.
Giving Jeudy to the Browns clears up a decent amount of cap room, $12.987 million to be exact.
For the past two seasons, the Broncos have been trying to get rid of Jeudy. At the deadline last season, they tried but decided against dealing him to another team.
With Denver’s recent moves (restructuring lineman Mike McGlinchey‘s contract and cutting Justin Simmons) along with the Jeudy trade, they have opened up $43 million in cap space.
Denver has yet to announce whether Wilson’s release will be a pre- or post-June 1 cut. Denver will have to eat $85 million in dead money, by far the most in NFL history for one player. But the Broncos now have enough space to take the larger $53 million dead-money cap hit in 2024 and the lower $32 million in 2025 if they so choose.
CBS Sports on Denver’s trading away Jerry Jeudy to Cleveland and it’s impact on the team.
Don’t expect this team to contend in 2024 at all. Let’s not be surprised if wide receiver Courtland Sutton is next to be traded. Especially if Jerry Jeudy costed just two late-round picks.
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Featured Image: Ryan Kang/Getty Images
