Jets Had ‘Interest' in Traded Broncos Receiver
The New York Jets are desperately looking for upgrades in the receiving room, meaning the trade block, open market, and NFL Draft are all available options to general manager Joe Douglas.
Star receiver Garrett Wilson is fantastic in his own right, but with poor quarterback play and little in the form of a surrounding cast, he was not producing at his ceiling. The positive regression of quarterback play Aaron Rodgers should provide is essential to the offense’s success, but without upgrades for the team’s second- and third-most frequent target earners, stagnation is still a sizable risk.
In turn, bonafide veterans should pique New York’s interest. However, the cast of pass-catchers in free agency is dwindling, and trades have already been completed, shrinking the Jets’ options.
New York Jets cornerback Brian Poole (34) tackles Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (10) in the second half. The Jets lose to the Broncos, 37-28, at MetLife Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020, in East Rutherford. Nfl Jets Broncos
© Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com via Imagn Content Services, LLC
On Saturday, the Denver Broncos traded receiver Jerry Jeudy to the Cleveland Browns for 2024 fifth- and sixth-round picks.
That isn’t a high price to pay for a target with a first-round pedigree and an undeniable ability to separate. Struggles under center and at the catch point have stifled his performance, but Jeudy offers upside as a strong complementary option for veteran receiver Amari Cooper.
He saw 67 catches for 972 yards and six touchdowns in 2022 before his production dipped to a 54/758/2 stat line during Denver’s poor 2023 showing. Jeudy is yet to post a 1,000-yard season at the professional level.
Per Jeremy Fowler, the Jets and New England Patriots “had interest” in the receiver as trade talks heated up.
For New York, this trade’s meaning is two-fold.
Jeudy is yet another receiver off the proverbial board. The Jets could have moved a similar package for him but chose not to. This could be a glimpse into what they are prioritizing at the position.
While Wilson is the better player, Jeudy comes in a fairly similar profile – finesse receivers hoping to make plays with their athleticism before and after the catch. Wilson’s ability to elevate his play strength separates them, but that archetype doesn’t necessarily mesh well, especially if a true catch-point maestro is left off the field.
Perhaps receiver Allen Lazard, a Rodgers-driven acquisition, will bounce back to be the bigger body they need. If not, they’ll be in the market for somebody Rodgers can trust to win above the rim and over the middle of the field where the going gets tough.
Once again, Broncos receiver Courtland Sutton finds his way into the Jets discourse. He became a popular trade target in the past week.
Sutton fits with New York better than Jeudy and he also has a longer track record of being productive. That comes with a heavier price tag in terms of his $15 million average annual value contract.
Yet, Denver has shown they are willing to sell, and that contract could prove difficult to move. If Sutton is dealt, expect him to go for a similar price to his former teammate, and expect the Jets to be in the running.
