It didn’t take long for Andrew Berry to wake up fans as the Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos executed a trade on Saturday afternoon that will bring former first-round pick Jerry Jeudy to Cleveland. Wide receiver was a major question mark last season (behind Amari Cooper), and this move solidified the position.
One thing we’ve seen this offseason is a sense of urgency to get the offense right this offseason. It started with the firing of a vast majority of the offensive staff and hasn’t stopped yet with the addition of Jeudy. Berry and Kevin Stefanski know that 2024 is “The Year” where Deshaun Watson must play well to not have an egg on their face for the trade three seasons ago.
With a more aggressive Berry in 2024, here are three players on the chopping block after the Jeudy trade.
No. 3: Michael Woods
Two years ago the Cleveland Browns took a flyer on Michael Woods out of Oklahoma. After three strong years at Arkansas, Woods transferred to the Sooners and saw a decrease in production from his junior year. Berry liked what he saw and gave him a shot by drafting him in the sixth round of the 2022 draft, but with the addition of Jeudy, he will almost certainly be off the roster next year.
Woods had a period where he was suspended, had multiple injuries, and even when the room was at its weakest couldn’t find a way to get on the field.
Woods certainly has some of the tools it requires to be an NFL wide receiver, but I’m not sure he will ever put the puzzle completely together — and he was hit with a suspension last year as well which doesn't help his cause. He may get a shot on a practice squad with another team, but there is a good chance his NFL career will come to an end this offseason.
No. 2: David Bell
While we have seen Berry pull off a few spectacular trades in his tenure with the Browns, one of his biggest weaknesses has been drafting wide receivers. Woods, Anthony Schwartz, David Bell, and potentially Cedric Tillman all come to mind as guys who didn’t pan out. Schwartz, Bell, and Tillman were all taken in the third round which makes this all a little bit more disappointing.
With last year it's clear that Tillman was the third receiver behind Cooper and Elijah Moore, I would say Bell will also be released from this roster. While Bell had an electric college career, he just doesn’t have the speed or quickness to make it in the NFL.
Cooper, Jeudy, and Moore will be the three receivers seeing the most playing time next season with Moore likely seeing a cut in playing time compared to last season. Tillman will step in as the rotational receiver who will hopefully improve in year two, but Berry has likely seen enough lack of development from Bell to let him go.
With Woods and Bell likely both gone, I do think you’ll see Berry draft another wide receiver in 2024, but likely not until the later rounds just to see if he can get a steal who develops into a player.
For 2024 the receiving room looks solid with the addition of Jeudy, but it’s worth noting that all three starters will be out of contract after this season which could leave a gaping hole next offseason.
No. 1: Greg Newsome II
The player we have seen a ton of rumors for on the trade block is Greg Newsome, the talented cornerback who Berry drafted in the first round three seasons ago from Northwestern.
Newsome finds himself on the trade block for a few reasons. One, his value is likely at its peak. He has one year left on his contract with a fifth-year option as well, meaning a trade partner has his rights for two seasons.
Two, Berry just gave up two picks to get Jeudy. Knowing that this roster has a few additional holes and could use some young talent, Newsome is likely his best bargaining chip to pick up a draft pick or even two for 2024.
Last but certainly not least, Newsome is a luxury right now for the Browns. Denzel Ward and Martin Emerson have separated themselves as the top two corners on this team, and Newsome has been more than vocal that he doesn’t love playing on the interior.
If Berry could get a second or third-round pick for Newsome right now, I think you pull the trigger in a second. We saw Cameron Mitchell, D’Anthony Bell, and Ronnie Hickman all play well at times last year, and a draft pick would likely be more valuable than Newsome’s service in 2024.
The one thing that scares me is injuries. Not only has Newsome fought off multiple injuries that will lessen his trade value, but Ward has also seen his share of problems. Knowing that both players will likely miss at least one or two games a season, having the extra depth is extremely nice.