The Cleveland Browns have two exciting rookie receivers in Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion, and the biggest loser from their addition seems to be veteran wideout Jerry Jeudy. While Boston and Concepcion have been establishing themselves through the first two weeks of the season, Jeudy has been a non-factor in the offense.
In Cleveland’s Week 2 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the veteran wideout didn’t record a single catch and was targeted just once. Browns head coach Todd Monken was asked on Monday how the offense could get Jeudy more involved, but he made it clear that he doesn’t see the situation as a problem that needs solving.
The offensive-minded head coach emphasized that it’s only one ball to go around, and explained that everyone will get their opportunities throughout the course of the season.
"Well, it kind of falls into kind of what we talked about last week, is the moment that Jerry gets more targets, you’re all going to be asking me why Harold [Fannin] isn’t, or why isn’t KC [Concepcion]. There’s only one football. And whether it’s... the opportunities arose for all of those guys because we were struggling to run the football as effectively as we needed to. And when that rises and we’re better at that, then Quinshon [Judkins is] going to have more carries, right? And that’s going to be less opportunities for the outside guys. And [Jeudy's] opportunities will come. It’s just like I said, a little bit by game plan and others, that the ball just didn’t find him.”
Jerry Jeudy’s lack of production isn’t concerning just yet
Again, Jeudy was targeted just once in Week 2, and it should’ve been a catch, but he slipped coming out of his break. Even if he did haul the ball in, it wouldn’t have made much of a difference for where his production stands in the wide receiver room.
After only two games, Boston leads the team in receiving yards with 154 on seven receptions, and he also has two touchdowns. Concepcion leads the team with 10 receptions, and both he and Boston have a team-high 11 targets. Jeudy is fifth on the team in targets with five, sixth in receptions with two, and seventh in receiving yards with 26.
However, it’s only been two games, so there’s plenty of time for things to change. Boston, Concepcion, and Harold Fannin Jr. will likely remain Cleveland’s top pass catchers, but Jeudy’s production should start to increase.
Naturally, fans are already arguing that the Browns should just trade the veteran wideout, especially since the team has a player like Isaiah Bond as a depth receiver, but it’s still too early to make that call. Not only could Jeudy still become a productive wideout for the team this season, he’s also an injury away from being thrust back into a larger role.
Todd Monken has the right approach by not overreacting and simply waiting to see where this season goes for Jerry Jeudy.
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