The Cleveland Browns completed one of the more impressive thefts in recent NFL history two years ago, and it seems their general manager Andrew Berry and team have achieved the same feat once again.
Berry traded two fifth-round picks and swapped a sixth-round pick with the Dallas Cowboys to acquire wide receiver Amari Cooper in March 2022. Cooper has been the Browns' top receiver for the past two seasons and earned Pro Bowl honors after the 2023 season.
Earlier this month, Cleveland gave the Denver Broncos a fifth-round pick and a sixth-round pick in exchange for wideout Jerry Jeudy — a former first-round pick (No. 15 overall in 2020) who had one year remaining on his contract when the Browns made the trade.
Maurice Moton of Bleacher Report called the acquisition of Jeudy Cleveland’s “smartest 2024 offseason decision” so far.
Jeudy … could be an immediate upgrade over [Elijah] Moore. Jeudy has racked up at least 758 receiving yards in three of his four pro seasons. Like Moore, Jeudy can line up on the outside or in the slot, but at 6’1″ and 195 pounds, he has the size to make more of an impact on the boundary.
The Browns only gave up 2024 fifth- and sixth-round picks for Jeudy, which is the shrewd part of the acquisition. Though the team may have overpaid on his three-year, $58 million extension, the front office gets credit for a favorable trade.
Jerry Jeudy’s Contract Total With Browns Less Important Than Cap Hit
GettyFormer Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy.
The deal for Jeudy represents a substantial investment in a player who hasn’t earned nearly $20 million annually but possesses the kind of talent/upside that could make that amount look pretty favorable in a couple of years.
The key for the Browns was the timing of Jeudy’s rookie contract. Denver exercised a fifth-year team option on the receiver’s contract last offseason, which kept him under contract through 2024 at about $13 million for the final year.
Cleveland traded for that final contract year, which remains on Jeudy’s books and will be his salary next season. Then, by extending Jeudy for three more years beyond 2024, the Browns achieved a couple of things.
First, they ensured he wouldn’t become a free agent in March 2025, which could have resulted in Jeudy leaving after just one year and making the two picks Cleveland traded for him a waste. Second, the Browns were able to restructure Jeudy’s contract and reduce his salary cap number in 2024 to $3.5 million.
While the total amount the team pays Jeudy ultimately matters, how much he counts against the salary cap over the next couple of seasons — presumably a championship window in Cleveland — matters more. Essentially, the Browns acquired a 25-year-old former first-round pick to be Cooper’s secondary player for a little less than $3.5 million next season.
In almost any perspective, this is a win for a Cleveland team that is fully committed to pursuing a Super Bowl victory before their extensive spending catches up with them.
Jerry Jeudy Will Be a Steal if He Effectively Fills No. 2 WR Role for Browns
GettyCleveland Browns wide receiver Elijah Moore.
While Jeudy has never surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in the NFL and has only caught 11 touchdowns as a professional, he is clearly an upgrade over any other pass-catcher on the roster that the Browns might otherwise rely on as the No. 2 receiver.
Moore made 59 receptions for 640 yards and 2 touchdowns during his initial season in Cleveland after coming from the New York Jets. Apart from Moore, there are Cedric Tillman and David Bell, respective third-round picks in the last two drafts.
None of these three players have been seen as a legitimate second option, although Jeudy is expected to be able to fulfill that role in a better offense. If he can do so effectively, the trade price will definitely make Jeudy a steal, regardless of how he compares to his salary.
