Cowboys Out on OBJ; Patriots Also Pursuing Jerry Jeudy?
As the AFC's passing situation evolves, the New England Patriots have expressed an increasing loyalty to Mac Jones and are now protecting that investment with lucrative receiving targets like JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mike Gesicki.
New intel suggests they're just getting started.
Per KOA Colorado, the Patriots are one of three primary contenders for the services of Denver Broncos receiver Jerry Jeudy, joining the Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys (who have likely dropped out of the race upon the arrival of Houston's Brandin Cooks). Jeudy, set to enter his fourth NFL season after arriving as a first-round pick out of Alabama, is in the final year of his rookie contract and a decision looms on his fifth-year option, which carries a $12.9 million cap hit in 2024.
Though the Broncos' drastic offensive struggles were well-documented last season (with head coach Sean Payton brought out of retirement to solve such woes), Jeudy, who turns 24 in April, enjoyed a breakout season to the tune of 972 yards and six scores. Adding the young, talented receiver to the fold would give New England a primary target for both the present and future should they give into both the trade and the option that comes with it
Of course, with the offensive hopes renewed upon Payton's arrival, Denver won't be giving Jeudy away for free. The report suggests that the Broncos, void of a first-round pick next month after trading for quarterback Russell Wilson, are seeking a first or a high second-round pick and an active NFL player for any change of address. Having lost what became the fifth and 37th overall picks in the upcoming draft to Seattle in the Wilson deal, Denver owns no current picks among the first 66 before consecutive selections in the early stages of round three.
The Patriots own 10 picks in this Spring's draft in Kansas City, including the 14th and 46th choices. Their earliest extra pick emerges in the fourth round (a compensatory selection at 135th overall) and four choices emerge in the sixth and penultimate rotation. Any deal for Jeudy would likely involve a true draft sacrifice.
If they truly want the Jones era to succeed, however, drastic, Rocky Mountain action might have to be taken.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
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