Breaking; Browns Pull Off 1 of NFL’s Top Steals in Jerry Jeudy Trade
The Browns successfully secure one of the NFL’s greatest bargains through Jerry Jeudy trade.
Two years back, the Cleveland Browns astounded with one of NFL’s finest heists in recent times and it seems that once again, general manager Andrew Berry and his team have successfully accomplished another.
In March 2022, Berry traded two fifth-round draft picks and a sixth-round swap to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for wide receiver Amari Cooper. Since then, Cooper has topped the Browns’ receiving charts for two consecutive seasons and even garnered Pro Bowl recognition after his impressive performance in the 2023 season.
The Browns traded a fifth and sixth-round draft pick to the Denver Broncos for Jerry Jeudy, a first-round selection (15th overall in 2020) with one year left on his contract at the time of the transaction.
Up until now, Maurice Moton from Bleacher Report has labeled the decision to acquire Jeudy as Cleveland’s “most intelligent move for the 2024 offseason.”
Elijah Moore may not match up to the potential of Jeudy who has accumulated at least 758 receiving yards in three out of four professional seasons. Similarly, both players have versatility as they can play as an outside receiver or slot receivers. However, standing tall and weighing 195 pounds on a height of 6’1″, Jeudy’s physique enhances his capability to make significant contributions within boundary lines over Elijah Moore.
Jeudy was acquired by the Browns for a clever bargain, consisting of just 2024 fifth- and sixth-round picks. While the three-year extension worth $58 million may have been an overpayment from their end, kudos still go to the front office for executing a beneficial trade.
The cap hit is more crucial than the overall amount of Jerry Jeudy’s contract with the Browns.
Investing substantially in Jeudy’s contract is a gamble, given that he has yet to earn nearly $20 million yearly. However, his impressive skill set and potential could potentially make this figure seem lucrative within the next few years.
Jeudy’s rookie contract timing played a vital role in the Browns’ strategy. With Denver taking advantage of an option to extend his deal for five years, he remains committed until 2024 and is set to earn around $13 million for his final year with the team, securing Cleveland’s desired outcome.
The contract year that Jeudy has on his balance sheet and will serve as his salary next season was brought in through a trade by Cleveland. Furthermore, the Browns were able to achieve multiple goals by extending Jeudy’s contract for an additional three years beyond 2024.
Initially, they ensured that Jeudy would not become a free agent in March 2025. Otherwise, he could have left after just one year and the two selections Cleveland exchanged for him would have been futile. Additionally, the Browns successfully altered Jeudy’s contract to reduce his salary cap figure to $3.5 million in 2024.
Although the franchise’s overall payment to Jeudy is important, what truly matters more is how much his salary counts against the cap during Cleveland’s presumed championship window within the next few seasons. Essentially, by acquiring a 25-year-old first-round pick for less than $3.5 million in the upcoming season, the Browns have found their Robin to Cooper’s Batman.
No matter how you analyze it, Cleveland’s team has achieved a win in their pursuit of obtaining the coveted Super Bowl trophy before being overwhelmed by expenses they have incurred.
If Jerry Jeudy can sufficiently fill the Browns’ No. 2 WR position, he will be a steal.
Despite never achieving over 1,000 receiving yards or snagging more than 11 touchdowns as a professional football player in the NFL, Jeudy undoubtedly surpasses any other potential receiver on the Browns’ roster who could have filled the No.2 position.
During his debut season in Cleveland after moving from the New York Jets, Moore successfully completed 59 catches for a total of 640 yards and managed two touchdowns. Following him on the team roster are Cedric Tillman and David Bell who were chosen as third-round picks in each of the past two drafts.
Although none of the three players have established themselves as a reliable second option, it’s possible that Jeudy could step up in an improved offensive system. If he can demonstrate his capability effectively, then acquiring him at a lower cost would be considered a steal regardless of how he compares to his salary.
