Jerry Jeudy may have found himself in a position to be the most important offensive player on the Cleveland Browns.
The Browns traded away wide receiver Amari Cooper to the Buffalo Bills on Wednesday, opening the way for Jeudy to take over the top of the depth chart.
He didn’t seem phased when asked, responding, “I’m more in a position to make plays, that’s the only way my role can change.”
#Browns Jerry Jeudy on likely stepping into the No. 1 role at wide receiver. pic.twitter.com/mcrb7Hucuz
— Fred Greetham (@FredGreetham9) October 17, 2024
Jeudy has been in this role before acting as a quasi-number-one option for his original team the Denver Broncos. In two healthy seasons, he earned 100+ targets and was just shy of 1,000 yards each time. So far this season he’s had 36 targets, 20 receptions, 248 yards, and one touchdown.
“I don’t know how many targets I’m going to get a game but hopefully it increases,” he continued.
The Browns had faith in the young receiver in their initial vision for him. They sent a fourth and sixth-round pick to the Broncos to acquire him back in March before signing him to a three-year, $58 million extension.
Without Cooper, Jeudy should expect the lion’s share of targets moving forward with only tight end David Njoku in competition. To this point, Jeudy had been fourth on the team in offensive snaps and second in targets, 13 more than the third starting receiver Elijah Moore.
He will be aided by the long-awaited return of running back Nick Chubb in the run game, but coming off a major knee injury from over a year ago we’ll have to wait and see how effective he can be early on.
The offense is currently in flux and more changes could occur if a potential quarterback change is on the horizon. We’ll see how Jeudy responds to his role change but he has time to acclimate before a revenge game opportunity when he goes back to Denver to take on the Broncos in Week 13 on Monday Night Football.