Almost all the focus of the Cleveland Browns thus far this offseason has been on the defensive side of the ball. They have looked to upgrade at every level to turn around a unit that underperformed in 2022.
Cleveland’s biggest splash was signing Dalvin Tomlinson, formerly of the Minnesota Vikings, to a four-year, $57 million deal. He fills a much-needed void in the middle of the defensive line, as the Browns had arguably the worst defensive tackle unit in the NFL last season.
Joining him on the defensive front is Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, who signed a three-year deal. He will replace Jadeveon Clowney opposite Myles Garrett. At the back end of the defense, Juan Thronhill replaced John Johnson III as the starter alongside Grant Delpit.
The defense will be improved in 2023 with the moves that have been made. But, the offense could still use some help, namely at the wide receiver position.
Amari Cooper remains a legitimate No. 1 option in the passing game, surpassing the 1,000-yard mark for the sixth time in eight seasons. Donovan Peoples-Jones has emerged as a deep threat opposite him, putting together the best season of his career. But, the need for a third wide receiver persists.
Cleveland got nothing from Anthony Schwartz or rookie David Bell as they combined for 28 catches for 265 yards and no scores. Upgrading there would help take this offense to another level, and a potential target could be Jerry Jeudy of the Denver Broncos.
According to Benjamin Allbright, a Broncos insider at KOA Colorado, the Browns continue to pursue Jeudy in a trade. They are not alone, as the New England Patriots have also checked in on the 2020 first-round pick out of Alabama.
Part of the holdup in Jeudy trade negotiations is the asking price that the Broncos have set. They are seeking a first-round pick in return for him, which is quite steep. But, for up-and-coming wide receivers, that has been the going rate in recent years in a trade.
What kind of deal could the Browns offer for him? Knowing that the Broncos are short on draft capital from other trades made, Cleveland could trade their second-round pick in 2023, No. 42 overall and a conditional second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Coming off the best season of his career, Jeudy would be an excellent addition for Deshaun Watson. Clevland would have a receiver that can win at each level of the offense, and when you combine the tight end group, have one of the better pass-catching units in the NFL. For a team that already went all-in on Watson, the Browns need to continue pushing the envelope and upgrading the roster.
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