The Cleveland Browns have reloaded at wide receiver but still expect big things out of former Pro Bowler Jerry Jeudy.
Jeudy is coming off a miserable year in which he caught just 50 passes for 602 yards and 2 touchdowns. His troubles represented a bigger problem. The Browns as a whole ranked dead last in yards, catches, and touchdowns by receivers last season.
Despite his down year and the additions of KC Concepcion (No. 24 overall) and Denzel Boston (No. 39 overall), Jeudy will be looked at as the team’s top option.
“The Browns are certainly excited about their two new receivers, but they’re also hoping that Jerry Jeudy can rebound from a down 2025 season and reclaim his role as the No. 1 receiver. Jeudy’s issues last year were tied, in part, to the inconsistent quarterback play and a challenged offense in general,” Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com said. “They’re confident that Jeudy, a Pro Bowler and 1,000-yard receiver in 2024, will flourish this season with better QB play and what GM Andrew Berry has described as a better ecosystem on that side of the ball.”
Jeudy is still positioned as the Browns’ No. 1 wide receiver, but his grip on that role feels less secure. Drops were an issue last season. With added competition in the room, those inconsistencies could quickly become a bigger problem for Cleveland.
Browns View Jerry Jeudy as ‘Bell Cow’
The Browns have expressed how they feel publicly about Jeudy following the draft. While there’s more talent in the room, Jeudy is still firmly in the mix.
“He’s our bell cow,” Browns GM Andrew Berry said. “With receiver rooms, you can have maybe a ball dominant player or you can essentially build a basketball team with different skill sets. We prefer the second approach. Now don’t get me wrong. I’ll take Calvin Johnson if he’s out there, but we feel like we have a nice well-rounded room with speed, [yards after catch], contested-catch ability, separation. So we’re really pleased with the youth and talent in that group.”
Jeudy is under contract through the 2027 season. While it’s not quite a contract year for the 27-year-old, a big year could prove beneficial as he looks to position himself for his next deal.
Jeudy has shown his upside. During his Pro Bowl campaign in 2024, he caught 90 passes for 90 passes for 1,229 yards and four touchdowns.
Browns QB Decision Essential to Offensive Rebuild
The Browns attacked their offensive rebuild aggressively this offseason. The offensive line has been almost completely reconstructed. First-round pick Spencer Fano steps in as the potential left tackle of the future after being selected No. 9 overall. Cleveland also added Zion Johnson, Tytus Howard and Elgton Jenkins, giving the unit a much different look around whoever wins the quarterback job.
The Browns also invested heavily in the passing game. Concepcion and Boston give Cleveland two young receiving options to pair with Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman, Isaiah Bond and tight end Harold Fannin Jr.
But the biggest decision remains unresolved: quarterback. Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson are locked in a battle for the starting job. The outcome will define how quickly Cleveland’s revamped offense can come together.
Browns Make Feelings Clear on Jerry Jeudy’s Future