Trade Pitch Gets Browns $4 Million Patriots Receiver as No. 2 Behind Jeudy

For the Cleveland Browns, as they attempt to rebound from a 3-14 season — their worst since a winless 2017 — most of the preseason attention the team has received centers around the quarterback situation.

But even as Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett and even Shedeur Sanders battle it out for the starting job, the wide receiver room is suffering from the lack of a positional battle.

The Cleveland receiver corps is led by 2024 Pro Bowler Jerry Jeudy, who will be entering his second season in Cleveland after spending his first four with the Denver Broncos, who drafted him No. 15 overall in 2020.

But after Jeudy — who?

Jerry Jeudy Needs a Running Mate in Cleveland

“Who steps into the No. 2 receiver role alongside Jeudy?” asked ClevelandBrowns.com writer Kelsey Russo. “With the departure of Elijah Moore in free agency, the Browns have a gap to role to fill in the offense. They have a number of options in their receiving corps to do so, from young players who are stepping into larger roles like (2023 third-round pick Cedric) Tillman, to veterans like (Deandre) Carter and (Diontae) Johnson brought in during the offseason to bring depth and veteran presence to the room.”

Meanwhile, in New England, the Patriots may lack a single standout receiver like Jeudy — but they nonetheless are dealing during training camp with a crowded wide receiver room and battles underway for every spot in there.

Pitched Battles For Roster Spots in New England

Veteran free agent acquisition Stefon Diggs would likely take the No. 1 spot by default, but coming off surgery on his ACL, the former Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings star remains a question mark — as does another free agent signing, and former Bill, Mack Hollins, who has yet to take the field in a Patriots practice.

Demario “Pop” Douglas seems like a lock for a prominent role, but after that, third-year receiver Kayshon Boutte, veteran Kendrick Bourne, 2024 draft picks Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, and rookies Kyle Williams — the Patriots third-round pick this year — and undrafted free agent Efton Chism are all in a heated competition for the spots that remain.

Trade Idea Sends 2023 6th-Rounder Cleveland’s Way

But SI.com analyst Matthew Schmidt came up with an idea on Sunday that could benefit both the Patriots and the Browns. The idea is simple — the Patriots take some of the pressure off the wide receiver corps by trading 2023 sixth-round draft pick Boutte to Cleveland.

“Boutte caught 43 passes for 589 yards and three touchdowns in what was a pleasantly surprising year for the LSU product last season,” Schmidt wrote. “Should New England place Boutte on the trade block, the Browns should absolutely get involved. While he isn’t an elite physical talent, Boutte is a very solid pass-catcher who averaged 13.7 yards per reception in 2024. He is a decent route runner and can even represent a deep threat.”

5th-Round Pick For Boutte Would be Win For Patriots

With two years to go on his four-year, $4 million rookie contract, Boutte would also present an opportunity for the Browns to develop a true No. 2 receiver behind Jeudy.

Leading into the April draft, Bleacher Report listed Boutte as a “name to watch” in any possible Patriots deals. But with training camp now in its second week, the 23-year-old remains with New England. While the Patriots likely would not get much of a return for the receiver, Boutte himself was a sixth-rounder, so if New England could net a fifth round draft pick from Cleveland, they would have to count the deal as a win.