-
Jake Trotter, ESPN Staff Writer
The Cleveland Browns have bolstered their receiving rotation, landing wideout Jerry Jeudy in a trade with the Denver Broncos, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Saturday.
The Browns will send Denver a 2024 fifth- and sixth-round pick to complete the trade, sources said. The deal cannot officially be completed until the new league year begins Wednesday.
Cleveland has been interested in Jeudy since last offseason, sources said. With the Broncos moving 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 will give Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson another option, slotting in behind Pro Bowl wide receiver Amari Cooper and Pro Bowl tight end David Njoku.
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 make almost $13 million in 2024. Jeudy, Cooper and wide receiver Elijah Moore, whom the Browns traded for instead of Jeudy last offseason, are all entering their final season under contract.
Jeudy had his best season in 2022, setting career highs for touchdowns (six), catches (67) and yards (972).
Moving Jeudy, along with completing other transactions, contract restructures and trades, has helped the Broncos clear nearly $50 million in salary cap space over the past five days, while also adding two draft picks ahead of the start of the new league year.
Jeudy’s Denver departure could lead to a bigger role in the offense for wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr.
Broncos coach Sean Payton said during the scouting combine 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 and was selected to the Pro Bowl as a returner this past season, more snaps in the offense.
At the moment, Mims plays the same spot Jeudy did in the Broncos’ personnel groupings at receiver. Mims played 384 snaps on offense last season — 38% of the team’s plays.
ESPN’s Jeff Legwold contributed to this report.
