The Denver Broncos have hung a for sale sign in front of some of their star players, including wideout Jerry Jeudy.
Multiple league sources tell FanBuzz that the expectation is that the Broncos will trade star wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, at some point prior to the Oct. 31 trade deadline.
One high-ranking NFC personnel director says that his team has already "held internal discussions" about a possible deal for Jeudy.
As the Broncos enter Week 6 at 1-4, amid one of the more disappointing starts in the league, it wouldn't be the least bit surprising if players such as Jeudy, defensive end Frank Clark, or others might be made available as Denver eyes a tear-down and eventual rebuild.
Jeudy, 24, has caught 17 passes for 208 yards so far this season, and through his first 45 games has pulled down 174 receptions for 2,503 yards with nine touchdowns since being chosen No. 15 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Here's a look at the best fits for Jeudy, if the Broncos decide to make a trade.
Atlanta Falcons
Head coach Arthur Smith and the Falcons have vowed to build a "positionless" offense, and have loaded up on some premium talent around second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder.
The Falcons already acquired Van Jefferson in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams, but as tight end Kyle Pitts has been mired in a bit of an inconsistent start to the season, would be wise to keep adding playmakers to Ridder's supporting cast. Pairing Jeudy opposite Drake London, who is averaging 12 yards per reception with 17 catches for 204 yards and a pair of touchdowns would certainly tax opposing secondaries over the top while creating loads of space for Joseph, Pitts, and tight end Jonnu Smith to operate underneath.
This season is all about evaluating whether Ridder can be the Falcons' future, and adding a weapon such as Jeudy would make not only finding a definitive answer to that important question likely but a run at the NFC South title realistic.
San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco already boasts one of the most dynamic and prolific offenses in the NFL.
Headlined by receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, versatile running back Christian McCaffrey, and tight end George Kittle, the 49ers have built an explosive and bludgeoning offense that is a worthy complement to its punishing defense, but there's a feeling inside the league that general manager John Lynch isn't done.
"The 49ers being in on Jerry Jeudy wouldn't surprise me," an AFC South Scouting Director told FanBuzz. "Because they're in on everyone."
Adding Jeudy would further add to quarterback Brock Purdy's embarrassment of riches, and elevate the 49ers' offense to potentially unstoppable heights with the possibilities he'd add to mad-scientist Kyle Shanahan's imaginative play-calling.
Dallas Cowboys
Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
The Cowboys absolutely must do ... something.
Dallas was flatly embarrassed on Sunday night against the San Francisco 49ers, held to just 140 passing yards as Dak Prescott was intercepted three times, raising all kinds of questions about just how far away the Cowboys are from meaningfully competing for the Super Bowl. Sunday's blowout laid bare just how wide the gap is between the Cowboys and the 49ers, and how necessary it is that Dallas add a deep-threat to Prescott's arsenal.
Jeudy is the working definition of a deep threat, capable of taking the top off a defense on a slant or deep-post pattern, pretty much with ease. Jeudy and CeeDee Lamb would be a big step in the right direction for the Cowboys' vertical passing game and potentially a major boost to Prescott's upside.
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are very much in the midst of a Super Bowl window opening, and general manager Brad Holmes would be wise to explore any and all possibilities not only to close the gap on the likes of the Philadelphia Eagles and 49ers, but prop said window as wide as possible.
Jeudy would accomplish both.
Jared Goff has been off to the most consistent start to a season of his career, as the NFL's ninth-leading passer with 1,265 yards, despite star wide receiver Jameson Williams not returning from a suspension until Week 5. Just imagine how much more effective Sam Laporta would be, even with 25 receptions for 289 yards and three touchdowns so far in his career, if defenses needed to shade a safety over the top to respect Jeudy's speed on the perimeter. Adding Jeudy to a receiving corps that already includes Amon-Ra St. Brown, Williams, and emerging star Josh Reynolds would give Detroit one of the league's deepest.
Houston Texans
No. 2 overall pick C.J. Stroud has looked every bit the part both of a franchise quarterback and the front-runner as NFL Offensive Rookie of The Year, which is the perfect moment for general manager Nick Caserio and the Texans to seize the opportunity to add a field-stretcher to his supporting cast.
While Nico Collins and rookie Tank Dell have been revelations in the Texans' receiving corps, and are the kind of young players who can grow alongside Stroud, Jeudy would be a veteran presence in that receiving room and a game-altering weapon in the offense.
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers are in the market for a No. 1 wide receiver, and there might not be a better opportunity to add one than trading for Jeudy.
Bryce Young has been going through significant growing pains thus far in his rookie season, but part of the No. 1 overall pick's struggles can be attributed to a struggling offensive line and none of the Panthers' wide receivers showing an ability to create separation. Carolina is in the throes of a rebuild, but Young and Jeudy could be two cornerstones to build the offense around for coming years.
