Jerry Jeudy dynasty managers rejoice! He is officially free of the Denver Broncos. Fantasy managers who drafted the former first-round pick had high expectations four seasons ago. However, have been met with crushing disappointment. Has a trade to the Cleveland Browns shifted Jerry Jeudy’s dynasty outlook?
Jerry Jeudy Dynasty Outlook
The History
Jerry Jeudy was drafted 15th overall by the Denver Broncos in 2020. The Broncos are struggling through life after Peyton Manning which ended in 2015. Jeudy came out of Alabama as a projected year-one, day-one starter. He had high-end route running, exceptional top-end speed, and an ability to play both inside and out. Jeudy, unluckily, was welcomed to the Broncos during the short Drew Lock era, followed by Teddy Bridgewater and then Russell Wilson.
His first season, with Drew Lock, provided promise with 113 targets but only managed 52 receptions for 856 yards and three touchdowns. This finish was only good enough for 9.9 fantasy points per game, a WR55. That season he ranked No.6 in total air yards. However, No.2 among wide receivers in unrealized air yards, this is total air yards minus receiving yards. Both a positive of how much he was throwing to, but a negative for how bad Drew Lock was.
In his second season with Teddy Bridgewater, he struggled through several different injuries, including a high ankle sprain that took him out for six games. The arrival of Russell Wilson gave Jeudy managers a glimmer of hope as his efficiency stepped up and he was finding the end zone more. His 67 receptions, 972 yards, and six touchdowns were good for 13.6 fantasy points per game, WR19.
This promise was then met with further disappointment last season. A fantasy points per game of 8.9, and a return to WR55. The Sean Payton arrival and challenging 2023 have spelled the end for many Broncos.
The Situation
The results have been extremely volatile for Jerry Jeudy in the early going with the Denver Broncos. In four seasons, none of the passing offenses have ranked better than 19th. Jeudy has been the culprit of three different quarterbacks and three different offensive coordinators. This rarely plays as a benefit for offensive weapons and their fantasy output. However, when taken in the first round, especially the top 16, there is an expectation that you have the skills and traits to rise above situations more often than not.
Now, Jeudy lands with the Cleveland Browns in what is easily his best offensive scheme under Kevin Stefanski. Plus, despite the early frustrating sample size in Cleveland, his best quarterback is Deshaun Watson. The passing offense ranked 18th in yards per game at 220 but passed at a 5th-ranked clip of 36.8 per game. Both are significant increases from 2022.
It also helps that he joins a wide receiver room that will plug him into the No.2 wide receiver spot behind Amari Cooper. It would be difficult to see him overtaking Cooper, but overtaking a fairly inefficient Elijah Moore is certain. The Browns dealing for Jeudy and picking up a fully guaranteed fifth-year option is a commitment to continuing to improve the passing game.
Current Price
Through the crowd-sourced data of KeepTradeCut, it is time to see what Jerry Jeudy’s current value is. Jeudy is currently ranked as the WR54. He sits behind wide receiver prospects like Keon Coleman and Ladd McConkey. While landing just ahead of other recently frustrating wide receivers like former teammate Courtland Sutton, Gabriel Davis, and Quentin Johnston.
When considering other players of other positions around him. Names like Geno Smith, Aaron Rodgers, Zamir White, and a host of older running backs appear. If you are looking for draft pick compensation a future, 2025 or 2026 early 2nd rounder or 2024 mid to late 2nd rounder is the ballpark.
Jerry Jeudy Dynasty Outlook
Will Jerry Jeudy’s change in scenery finally help him love up to his first-round draft capital? Let’s take a look at how your roster build can take advantage of Jerry Jeudy dynasty outlook.
Rebuilding
If you are rebuilding, I’m a big fan of Jerry Jeudy for your roster. Rebuilding it is not all about draft picks, it is about maximizing the value of your existing assets while adding ascending future assets and value. Jeudy to me is a future asset that is more likely to gain versus lose value. He is entering his age-25 season and while he has struggled in a volatile situation, he has flashed moments of the talent the league was enamored with during the draft process. If you have an older running back in the same value range as him like Derrick Henry or Aaron Jones, I would move them for Jeudy. I would also move a 2nd rounder this year or in the future that is in the mid-to-late range. The shot you take on a second-round rookie pick is equal to or greater in risk to Jeudy.
Middle of the Pack
The decision on what to do here is similar to a rebuilding manager. A player like Jerry Jeudy is a buy or hold for me. Sacrificing a 2nd rounder to help your wide receiving room with a low-risk, high-reward option can be a major benefit. You could even pair one of your weaker wide receivers in a similar value range with a pick. I would move Elijah Moore, Tyler Lockett, or Rashod Bateman with a third-rounder to get Jeudy. The hold idea comes from the future mid-late 2nd isn’t great value and is as much a shot in the dark as Jeudy. What if he takes off in Cleveland and your team starts to falter? You try and cash in on Jeudy to potentially re-tool or rebuild. It’s a fine line to walk, but having and holding Jeudy or acquiring him as a middle-of-the-pack team is a fair plan.
Contenders
As a contender, you likely already have significant wide receiver or flex depth on your team. But having a healthy influx of young, high-upside players who are cheaper to acquire can keep your team a contender for many more seasons. If I’m a contending team, it might not hurt to get a feeler out on what a Jeudy manager may be looking for, but there is no reason to overpay much beyond your late second-round pick. At the most maybe add in some throwaway player from the bottom of your roster you rarely play. If you are a Jeudy manager and contending, I see no reason to do anything, but hold and see what happens. Unless there is an offer that upgrades a position of weakness or need and you can afford to move on from Jeudy. He certainly is more likely expendable for contenders than other roster builds.
Main Photo: Stephen R. Sylvanie – USA Today Sports
