The Cleveland Browns head into their Week 5 bye with a 2-2 record and in desperate need of time to figure things out offensively. While the return of quarterback Deshaun Watson in Week 6 will help, it seems a trade for a wide receiver remains a possibility.
Cleveland explored the trade market heavily this offseason, evaluating options like Jerry Jeudy, Elijah Moore and Courtland Sutton. The Browns’ search landed on Moore, with the front office trading the 42nd overall pick to the New York Jets for Moore and the 74th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
- Elijah Moore stats 2023: 17 receptions, 148 receiving yards, 8.7 yards per reception on 29 targets
While Jeudy has been a favorite target for Watson, Cleveland’s offense is still struggling to achieve consistency. It’s worsened due to injuries with running back Nick Chubb lost for the season in Week 2 and Watson sitting out Week 4.
Entering NFL games today, Cleveland ranks 21st in scoring (19 points per game) and ranks 28th in yards per attempt (5.8). Despite investing heavily in the offense, the Browns have the sixth-highest sack rate allowed (10.4%) with the seventh-fewest net passing yards per game (199.8).
In her latest mailbag for Cleveland.com, Browns’ reporter Mary Kay Cabot responded to a question regarding Jeudy and explained why it’s still possible Cleveland could pursue a trade for him.
“I believe the Browns will get to the bye week and begin to determine if they need to add another Pro Bowl-caliber receiver to the roster. If so, I think Jeudy could land on their radar again because he’s been there before, as recently as March before they traded for Elijah Moore…Jeudy (has) the kind of production the Browns might be able to use midway through the season. I think they’d be more inclined to trade for Jeudy, who’s 24, than Davante Adams, who’s 30.”
Mary Kay Cabot on potential Cleveland Browns interest in Jerry Jeudy
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The Browns’ usage of Moore could play a role in future interest in another wide receiver. Through four games, Moore ranks 84th in average target distance (7.8) and is 84th in yards per reception (8.7). By working underneath so much, Moore only ranks 34th in total yards after catch (48).
Jeudy, who was shopped around the league this offseason by the Denver Broncos, would add more depth to the Browns’ receiving corps. While Cleveland’s coaching staff likes where it’s at, Chubb’s season-ending injury is expected to make this a much more pass-heavy offense coming out of the bye week.
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With Cleveland’s offensive line struggling to protect Watson and the three-time Pro Bowl selection often unable to throw deep or making off-target throws when going 20-plus yards downfield, working the short and intermediate areas of the field is in the Browns’ best interest. With Denver not close to contention, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Jeudy or Sutton emerged as trade candidates in the next three weeks.