The Cleveland Browns need to take a step forward in 2024 after reaching the playoffs in 2023. That means winning a playoff game and trying to contend, simply put.
While the Browns only made five draft selections and didn’t make any big money free agency signings, they did improve this offseason enough on paper to stake that step forward that is needed.
Trading for Jerry Jeudy was the Browns’ biggest offseason move
Back in March, the Browns made a trade with the Denver Broncos to bring in another talented wideout to help the offense out. Jeudy is someone that the Browns had on their trade radar for a while and were finally able to get him for a fourth and fifth-round draft pick this past draft.
Following the trade, the Browns gave him a three-year deal that is worth $52 million. While that looks like a big number for someone who has yet to record a 1,000-yard season, the approach is not unfamiliar to the Browns that they are taking.
Cleveland inked David Njoku to a lucrative deal before he was really able to break out off the talent that they knew he had alone. It has worked out for both sides and Njoku has become one of the best right ends in the NFL.
Not to say that Jeudy is going to become one of the best wideouts, that is unlikely to happen, and unfair to expect out of him. But for a player who isn’t talked about enough as one do the cleaner route runners in the NFL, Jeudy still has a ceiling that can be reached.
Jeudy had 758 yards and two touchdowns last year in 16 games after having 972 yards and six touchdowns in the previous season. The former first-round pick needed a fresh start and the Browns wanted to be that team.
Neither Amari Cooper nor Elijah Moore are under contract after this season in Cleveland. The Browns may look to extend Cooper, but there is no promise there so having Jeudy signed long-term was important.
The Browns are all in on giving Deshaun Watson everything he needs to make this offense go. The defense is elite and a Super Bowl contender in itself, but the offense has some catching up to do. In year No. 3 for Watson, he is past the suspension and the injury that happened last year. The Browns providing their biggest investment with all the resources he needs is a no-brainer.
If Jeudy can come in and solidify himself as the No. 2 wideout, the trade is a win for the Browns. If he can become any more than that, the Browns will be over the moon about giving up just two later picks for him.
