The Broncos are trading wide receiver Jerry Jeudy to the Cleveland Browns, confirming Denver is entering a full-scale rebuild.
The front office shopped Jerry Jeudy at the NFL trade deadline last season, but a move never came to fruition.
Now, mere days before the new league year opens, the two sides found a trade partner in the Browns.
The Broncos have opted to trade Jerry Jeudy for priority in NFL Draft picks, seemingly to give the team a new look for the upcoming season.
What the Jerry Jeudy trade means for the Broncos
The Broncos will receive fifth and sixth-round NFL Draft picks for Jeudy as the front office turns the page on its 2020 first-round selection.
Cleveland is sending 2024 fifth- and sixth-round picks to Denver for Jerry Jeudy, per source. https://t.co/sW0fRr2Lxq
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 9, 2024
This move comes soon after the front office parted ways with two former All-Pros — quarterback Russell Wilson and safety Justin Simmons.
For an organization short on NFL Draft picks and available salary cap space, it’s clear that with these transactions, 2024 will be a rebuilding year for Denver.
Cutting and trading these pricy contracts will clear up some much-needed future salary cap space. And, as with the Jeudy trade, it also brings in a couple of valuable NFL Draft resources.
However, the Broncos currently sit out of range for one of the top three quarterback prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft.
This deal gives them some potential ammo for a trade-up, but it’s more likely that Denver stacks up the roster and brings in a bridge starter at quarterback for 2024.
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Whether it’s Mac Jones, Sam Howell, or Justin Fields, whoever starts as the quarterback for the Broncos faces an uphill climb at finding success in Mile High.
We move Russ, Simmons, and Jeudy to get under the cap to go trade for Mac Jones….. Tank in the fall to draft Shedeur Sanders…. #BroncosCountry pic.twitter.com/yunvSD9RRG
— Sidelines-Denver Broncos (@SSN_Broncos) March 9, 2024
If the Broncos are patient and address other needs on the roster first, it makes them a much better landing spot for a young quarterback in next year’s draft.
Until then, it is too risky to throw a first-year player into the fire.
The Jeudy trade continues a clear trend by Denver to cut salary while also attempting to bring in some usable draft capital.
What the trade means for Jerry Jeudy
As for Jeudy, he gets a change of scenery as he enters the final year of his rookie deal. And he gets to do it on a team that just qualified for the NFL playoffs.
In four seasons with Denver, Jeudy recorded at least 50 receptions and 750 receiving yards, including 11 total touchdown catches in that span.
Too hyped to see Jerry Jeudy with the @Browns next season 👀 pic.twitter.com/ZNBa7ukZ4Q
— NFL (@NFL) March 9, 2024
Jeudy reportedly never meshed with Sean Payton after the Broncos traded a first and second-round pick for the Super Bowl-winning head coach last off-season.
Now, with Cleveland, Jeudy gets a chance to rebuild his image amongst NFL fans while his former team embarks on a full-scale rebuild.