Expert Analysis
12/9/24
5 min read
Cleveland Browns WR Jerry Jeudy Is Finally Becoming a Star
The Cleveland Browns took a chance on WR Jerry Jeudy this past offseason. So far, that bet is paying off.
Shortly after the 2023 season, the Browns traded fifth- and sixth-round picks to the Denver Broncos in exchange for Jeudy. The former first-round pick had been struggling in Denver and looked like a potential bust after going 15th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft.
However, the former Alabama Crimson Tide star has finally found his footing in his new home, giving the Browns an established receiver who is taking the league by storm. He's now third in the NFL with 944 receiving yards to go along with 59 receptions and four touchdowns.
Considering the Browns only gave up two Day 3 picks to get a star wide receiver, the move turned out to be a win for both Jeudy and Cleveland.
Jeudy's Path to Cleveland
There was a point in college when Jeudy looked like he was going to be the NFL's next star wide receiver. While it took a while, Jeudy might be back on that path to stardom with the Browns.
Jeudy was a 5-star recruit and one of the top players in the 2017 recruiting class coming out of Deerfield Beach in Florida. His offers included virtually every top-tier FBS program, but Jeudy decided to go to Alabama to play for Nick Saban.
The move was the right one for Jeudy. Along with winning a national title, he was a two-time All-American and Fred Biletnikoff Award winner for the nation's top wide receiver. He caught 145 passes for nearly 2,500 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns over his final two seasons for the Crimson Tide.
Jerry Jeudy highlights at Alabama 😁🔥 pic.twitter.com/8yPOSQ1jKG
— Alabama DieHards (@DiehardsAlabama) June 29, 2023
That production, along with impressive athleticism and route-running ability, led to Jeudy going 15th overall in the 2020 draft. He was taken ahead of two eventual superstars at the position in CeeDee Lamb and Justin Jefferson but got off to a much more disappointing start in the NFL.
Jeudy never surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in his four seasons in Denver. His best year came in 2022, when he made 67 catches for 972 yards and six touchdowns, all career-high numbers prior to his first season in Cleveland.
However, Jeudy was never able to establish himself as Denver's No. 1 option. That has changed now that he's gotten a fresh start with a new team.
A breakout Season
Jeudy looked like he would be an afterthought again in Cleveland to start the 2024 season. However, Jameis Winston became the starting quarterback and completely unlocked the 25-year-old's ability in Cleveland's offense.
Since Winston took over as the QB in Week 8, Jeudy has caught 38 passes for 678 yards and three touchdowns in just six games. That would put him on pace for a full season of 108 catches, 1,921 yards, and 8.5 touchdowns at that pace.
It's not just the production but also the efficiency as a route runner for Jeudy, with Winston throwing him the ball. The Browns receiver was averaging an awful 0.96 yards per route run prior to Winston starting. Since Week 8, that number has skyrocketed to 2.47 YPRR.
For reference, that would put Jeudy tied for seventh in the NFL in YPRR if he had that efficiency for the entire season. Since Week 8, he's established himself as one of the most efficient receivers in the league, ranking 12th in both YPRR and EPA per target (minimum 25 targets), according to TruMedia.
On top of efficiency, Jeudy is now finding the end zone more regularly. He's scored a touchdown in three of Cleveland's last four games, including this strike from Winston on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
a familiar spot for @jerryjeudy#CLEvsPIT on CBS and NFL+ pic.twitter.com/cmSzFUvb2G
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 8, 2024
Jeudy is going to break his previous career-high marks, provided that he can find the end zone three more times by the end of the year. Regardless, he'll have his first 1,000-yard season shortly and has made himself a much more valuable commodity in a single season for Cleveland.
Do The Browns Have a No. 1 receiver?
No. 1 receivers come in all shapes and sizes. The Browns might as well go forward into 2025, assuming that Jeudy can be their primary guy.
The Browns traded away Amari Cooper prior to the trade deadline, allowing Jeudy to see an increased workload and target share. The bet has paid off, allowing Jeudy to be one of the more efficient receivers in football.
While the Browns could still pursue a big-bodied, more traditional "X" receiver, they can rest easy knowing that Jeudy has the skill set and athletic ability to be a legitimate No. 1 target for whoever plays quarterback in 2025 and beyond.
Cleveland can also ride with Jeudy for the foreseeable future on a reasonable deal. Not only is he just 25 years old, but he's also under contract for the Browns through the 2027 season, with his biggest cap hit being just $13.4 million in 2027.
Instead of trying to acquire another top WR in the draft or free agency, Jeudy's ascension has given the Browns the flexibility to invest in other positions to try to turn the franchise back into a playoff contender in the coming years.
