Sources – Broncos to trade WR Jerry Jeudy to Browns for picks،
The Cleveland Browns have strengthened their receiving rotation, landing Jerry Jeudy in a trade with the Denver Broncos, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Saturday.
The Browns will send Denver a fifth- and sixth-round pick in 2024 to complete the trade, sources said. The trade cannot be officially finalized until the new league year begins on Wednesday.
Cleveland has been interested in Jeudy since last offseason, according to sources. As the Broncos moved on from quarterback Russell Wilson while revamping their roster, Jeudy became more readily available.
Jeudy, who turns 25 next month, had 54 receptions for 758 yards and two touchdowns last season. He'll give Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson another option, slotting behind Pro Bowl receiver Amari Cooper and Pro Bowl tight end David Njoku.
A first-round pick in 2020, Jeudy is entering the final year of his rookie contract after the Broncos exercised his fifth-year option last year. He is expected to make nearly $13 million in 2024. Jeudy, Cooper and wide receiver Elijah Moore, who the Browns traded for in Jeudy's place last offseason, are all entering their final season under contract.
Jeudy had his best season in 2022, setting career highs in touchdowns (six), catches (67) and yards (972).
Jeudy's move, along with the completion of other transactions, contract restructures and trades, helped the Broncos clear nearly $50 million in salary cap space over the past five days, while also adding two draft picks before the start of the new league year.
Jeudy's departure to Denver could lead to a larger role in wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr.'s offense.
Broncos coach Sean Payton said during the scouting meeting in Indianapolis that he and the coaching staff had already discussed the need to get Mims, who was the Broncos' second-round pick last year last year and was selected to the Pro Bowl as a returner last season. , more snaps in the offense.
For now, Mims plays the same position as Jeudy in the Broncos' personnel groups at receiver. Mims played 384 snaps on offense last season, accounting for 38 percent of the team's plays.
ESPN's Jeff Legwold contributed to this report.