NFL Breaking News: Denver Broncos Trade Jerry Jeudy To The Cleveland Browns
ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting today that Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy has been traded to the Cleveland Browns. This ends his tumultuous time in Denver where the 2020 first-round draft pick was never able to crack 1,000 yards receiving in any of his four seasons. Jeudy will turn 25 next month so he’s still a young asset who could turn things around with a fresh start in Cleveland. With the NFL combine in our rearview, the legal tampering period (and effectively free agency) starting on Monday March 11th, and the 2024 NFL draft right around the corner, let’s take a look at the fallout of the Jerry Jeudy trade for fantasy football purposes. First, here are the details on the trade, then we’ll look at winners and losers.
DENVER BRONCOS GET:
- 2024 4th Round Pick
- 2024 5th Round Pick
CLEVELAND BROWNS GET:
WINNERS
Jerry Jeudy, Wide Receiver, Cleveland Browns
We’ll find out for sure how he performs in his new home but on paper this has to be a win for Jeudy because the Denver Broncos don’t currently have a starting quarterback. Russell Wilson is slated to be released leaving Jarrett Stidham as the top option under contract. He’ll have an opportunity to start at slot/flanker immediately for the Browns.
Deshaun Watson, Quarterback, Cleveland Browns
Say what you will about the character of Deshaun Watson but, historically, he’s been a good player for fantasy football. And by historically I mean this - if you take all quarterbacks of all time and sort them by fantasy points per game, Watson is top five. He dealt with shoulder issues last year but should be fully healthy coming off surgery. Adding a weapon like Jeudy should help.
Marvin Mims, Wide Receiver, Denver Broncos
Perhaps the biggest winner here is Marvin Mims. Sean Payton was quoted back in October implying that it was difficult to get Jeudy and Mims on the field at the same time due to overlapping skillsets. Recently he told reporters that Mims should expect a bigger role this year. And now this. Good news for Mims, no doubt.
Tim Patrick and Greg Dulcich, Wide Receiver, Denver Broncos
The Broncos also announced that Tim Patrick was re-working his deal to stay in Denver. Having one less wide receiver in Denver is good news for him. The same thought process can imply to Greg Dulcich, who also missed all of last year with injury. Less competition over the middle for targets is a good thing if he can earn that starting tight end job.
NEUTRAL
Amari Cooper, Wide Receiver, Cleveland Browns
Arguments could actually be made that having another good wide receiver could open things up for Cooper. But, generally speaking, the top target on the team isn’t hugely impacted by what happens down the depth chart. He’ll be getting his targets and the pain will be felt by the third and fourth pass catchers.
Courtland Sutton, Wide Receiver, Denver Broncos
And the same logic applies here. Someone else will step up into Jeudy’s spot but Sutton will remain the big split end on the outside. Unless they also plan to move him…
LOSERS
Elijah Moore, Wide Receiver, Cleveland Browns
No doubt, Elijah Moore is the big loser here. They traded for him last year from the Jets and the hope was that he could be the WR2 opposite of Amari Cooper. Now the best bet is for Moore to hold on as the WR3 which would mean he comes out of the game for jumbo sets in favor of tight ends.
Cedric Tillman, Wide Receiver, Cleveland Browns
The hope was that Tillman could be an every down player. But this more likely relegates him to being the field stretcher that comes in for obvious pass situations. Unless he can prove he deserves to be the full-time player opposite Jeudy, he’s now waiting for the 29-year-old Amari Cooper to hang them up.
David Bell, Wide Receiver, Cleveland Browns
The upside for David Bell was already bleak but this move obviously vaporizes his value.
David Njoku, Tight End, Cleveland Browns
David Njoku was the de facto second target on the team last year. Which was great for his fantasy upside. We were already concerned that the backup QBs like Joe Flacco liked targeting Njoku more than Deshaun Watson did early on. Now he’s going to have to battle with Jeudy for targets behind Amari Cooper.
Player News
Dolphins signed No. 13 overall pick DT Kenneth Grant to a four-year contract.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Grant will sign his contract today. The former Michigan defensive tackle is expected to fill a major void left by Christian Wilkins, who left for the Raiders in the 2024 offseason. Grant totaled 32 tackles, three sacks, and seven TFLs in his final season at Michigan and excelled at stopping the run while also generating 27 pressures in his final season, per PFF.
Beat reporter John Hendrix reports that free agent WR Donovan Peoples-Jones is among the 16 players that the Saints will host for their rookie minicamp.
Peoples-Jones last played regular season snaps with the Lions back in 2023, when he caught 13-of-24 targets for 155 yards. He is highly unlikely to return to fantasy relevance at this point but could perhaps sign on as a special teams contributor.
Titans signed fourth-round pick WR Elic Ayomanor to a four-year contract.
Ayomanor will now begin learning behind Calvin Ridley. Although Ayomanor is unlikely to find a meaningful role in year one, dynasty managers should note his status as training camp gets underway this summer. The former Stanford receiver flashed big-play ability in his two college seasons.
Buccaneers signed seventh-round pick WR Tez Johnson to a four-year contract.
Johnson will serve as a rotational deep-threat option for Baker Mayfield. His thin frame (5'10/154) simply does not lend itself to the repeated hits one incurs in a full-time role. Johnson did earn 100-plus targets in his two seasons at Oregon, though. His big-play style make him a better fit in best ball for now, pending any major on-field breakthroughs.
Giants waived DT Casey Rogers.
Rogers was a 2024 undrafted free agent and logged 33 defensive snaps for the Giants in his rookie season. He is credited with zero tackles and/or sacks. He may find his way onto another roster as a practice squad option.
Vikings signed third-round pick WR Tai Felton to a four-year contract.
Felton is quietly in play to challenge Vikings No. 3 WR Jalen Nailor in training camp. Nailor (5'11/190) caught 28-of-42 targets for 414 yards and six touchdowns in his first season as a starter last year, with the latter category buoying his fantasy productivity. Felton (6'1/183), meanwhile, caught 96-of-143 targets for 1,119 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging 2.32 yards per route run in his final college season. Fantasy managers should monitor Felton’s training camp reports this summer, as he could have a matchup-based WR5 role if everything falls into place.