Jets offered more for WR Jerry Jeudy than Browns

The Jets have been one of the most receiver-thirsty teams in the NFL this offseason.

Before New York signed Mike Williams in free agency, there were reports that the team tried to trade for Williams’ ex-Chargers teammate, Keenan Allen, before he was dealt to the Bears. Another report now claims the Jets tried to trade for former Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy before he was sent to the Browns for a fifth- and sixth-round pick.

The Jets offered more than that to the Broncos for Jeudy in March, according to The Athletic’s Zach Rosenblatt, before the team pivoted to Williams in free agency. Oddly enough, New York eventually traded quarterback Zach Wilson to Denver for a late-round pick swap.

Jeudy, meanwhile, signed a new three-year, $52.5 million extension with Cleveland. It’s unclear what the Jets offered for Jeudy.

Jets want another wide receiverWhile the Jets already added Williams, that doesn’t mean general manager Joe Douglas is done with the position. There has been a lot of speculation the Jets will take a wide receiver in the 2024 NFL Draft and could even trade up to do it.

The most likely trade-up candidate is Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze, although New York could make a big leap to go take Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. or LSU’s Mailk Nabers if the team wants to pony up more draft capital.

Another option could be taking someone like tight end Brock Bowers at their original No. 10 or even LSU’s Brian Thomas — either at No. 10 or in a trade-back scenario.

Either way, there is a lot of smoke around the Jets bringing in another offensive weapon for Aaron Rodgers to paid with Garrett Wilson, Williams and running back Breece Hall.

Other Jets WR targetsNew York doesn’t have to focus on the top players in the draft. While the Jets don’t have a second-round pick, the team could easily trade back and still look at quality first- or second-round prospects like Adonai Mitchell, Xavier Leggette or Keon Coleman.

The veteran free agency market includes solid names as well who could serve as No. 3 options for Rodgers. Hunter Renfrow, Odell Beckham Jr., Tyler Boyd and Marquez Valdes-Scantling remain available and might not require significant contracts.

Either way, the Jets cannot enter the 2024 season with just Wilson and a post-ACL tear Williams as their top-two pass-catchers.

Author(s)

Tyler Greenawalt is a contributing writer for The Sporting News after stops at Yahoo Sports, USA Today Sports and Turner Sports.