Cleveland Browns General Manager Andrew Berry has been proactive ahead of the start of free agency, making headlines with the reported acquisition of wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, who is expected to fill the WR2 role for the team. The Denver Broncos, facing significant dead cap challenges in the upcoming season, have been shedding salaries, and Berry capitalized on this opportunity by sending a couple of late-round draft picks to acquire Jeudy. Berry’s strategic moves in assembling the Browns’ wide receiver room have caught the attention of at least one NFL insider, who is impressed with his approach.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler highlighted on social media the minimal price that Browns GM Andrew Berry gave up for his top three wide receivers.
One of Berry’s most significant coups was acquiring Amari Cooper from the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for just a fifth-round pick.
In the previous season, Berry convinced the New York Jets to trade back 31 spots in the draft, allowing the Browns to select Elijah Moore.
Berry also obtained Cedric Tillman using what was formerly the Jets’ third-round pick.
In the latest trade for Jerry Jeudy, Berry relinquished the extra fifth and sixth-round picks acquired from trades with the Carolina Panthers and Houston Texans. In return, the Browns received the 15th overall pick from the 2020 draft.
Therefore, Berry managed to secure top-tier wide receivers while giving up relatively low draft capital, showcasing his shrewd negotiating skills.
Cleveland is optimistic that a change of environment will lead to a resurgence in Jerry Jeudy’s performance, resembling the caliber expected of a first-round pick.
Jeudy’s partnership with fellow Alabama alum and former first-round pick Amari Cooper could prove beneficial. Cooper has been a long-time inspiration for Jeudy, and his presence at Alabama was a significant factor in Jeudy’s decision to attend the university.
Now, the task for head coach Kevin Stefanski and offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey is to identify the ideal role for Jeudy within the team. Finding the right fit for him will be the next challenge as they aim to maximize his potential in the Browns’ offense.
