There's Not A Single Reason To Dislike The Browns Trade For Jerry Jeudy
Everyone has to have a take these days. The problem is, not everything needs to come with the hottest of takes.
Take Saturday for example. Browns general manager Andrew Berry – being the trade wizard that he is – swung a deal with the Broncos for wide receiver and 2020 first-rounder, Jerry Jeudy. All he gave up in the process were fifth and sixth round picks for the upcoming NFL Draft.
The general consensus seems to be that this trade is an fleece job by Berry and thus a win for the Browns. If there happen to be any stragglers out there who don't like the move though, here's my attempt at punching holes in any of the arguments that people may try to drum up against the Jerry Jeudy trade:
Steve Smith said Jerry Jeudy was a tier three receiver and I agree. He stinks, why would the Browns want him?
That now infamous video of Steve Smith apologizing then ripping Jeudy resurfaced on social media after this trade. There was clearly some personal feelings in play there for Smith, but look, even if he's right about Jeudy all it cost the Browns to see if they can get more than "just a guy" is two day three picks. A year from now, if he proves to not be worth an extension he goes into free agency and the Browns can invest their money elsewhere at the position. It's the definition of a low risk, high reward deal for Cleveland.
He costs $13 million next season? That's pretty steep for what he provides production wise.
If you think $13 million is "too steep," wait until you see how much some team is going to overpay for Gabe Davis I'm free agency. Berry has never been a big spender in free agency. The largest deal he's ever handed out to a free agent was the four-year, $57 million deal for DT Dalvin Tomlinson last season and even $14 million per year isn't all though ambitious of a contract.
The truth is, Cleveland was never going to pay upwards of $20-plus million a year for a free agent wide receiver – which is what players at the top of this year's free agent wide receiver class will garner. Like quarterbacks, wide receiver deals only go up exponentially. In the grand scheme of things, $13 million for a No. wide receiver is nothing.
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
They gave up multiple picks for that guy!?
Are ya really hung up on a potential fifth round and sixth round rookies who will likely be on the roster bubble come training camp? Jeudy, despite not living up to his first-round potential to this point, is still a proven commodity in the NFL and there's always the chance he finally realizes that potential in a new environment with consistent quarterback play. One of the biggest reasons for Jeudy's up-and-down career has to be attributed to the fact that he's caught passes from Drew Lock, Jeff Driskel, Brett Rypien, Teddy Bridgewater, Jarrett Stidham and an aging Russell Wilson.
The draft certainly matters in regards to building your team but a couple day three picks are pretty insignificant in the "win now reality" the Browns are living in.
That's not the "big name" I was expecting the Browns to land.
I totally understand where Browns fans may have talked themselves into the idea of a MAJOR wide receiver addition like Mike Evans or Calvin Ridley. It was always wishful thinking. Berry's history told us if he was going to add a notable wide receiver it was going to be via trade and low and behold: Jerry Jeudy.
It was probably never going to be a bigger name than that and frankly, that's okay. Cleveland already has a No. 1 wide receiver in Amari Cooper. His Alabama compadre, should be a nice compliment to him as a No. 2.
