Key Takeaways:
– Cleveland Browns may potentially acquire superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson from the Minnesota Vikings.
– The hypothetical trade would involve multiple starters moving from Cleveland to Minnesota.
– Jefferson’s contract talks with Vikings may stimulate these off-season trade discussions.
– The Browns have boosted their wide receiver ranks, most notably trading for Jerry Jeudy.
– Browns’ passing attack is dependent on the availability of Deshaun Watson, who has had limited game participation in the past two seasons.
Proposed Cleveland Browns – Minnesota Vikings’ Trade Catches Attention
The Cleveland Browns might be on the lookout for a franchise-transforming move with the addition of superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson from the Minnesota Vikings. This highly unlikely yet tantalizing trade idea has been discussed by Michael Lucas, a producer for the Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show during his segment of what he described as “wild” trade pitches for Bleacher Report.
Speculating on Unlikely Trade Scenarios
Although Lucas was swift to clarify that these trades had slim chances of materializing, the prospect of Jefferson moving to Cleveland was striking. The potential exchange would involve Cleveland sending potential starters cornerback Martin Emerson, offensive tackle Dawand Jones and wide receiver Elijah Moore to Minnesota. In addition to Jefferson, a sixth-round pick would also come to Cleveland as part of the hypothetical agreement. The Browns would also reportedly dispatch first and third-round picks.
Lucas painted a vivid scenario of the effect of the transaction on the Browns’ offensive capabilities. The producer suggested, “Could you picture Deshaun Watson returning to the Houston form we’ve seen? The numbers he could post with Justin Jefferson, Amari Cooper, Nick Chubb back, David Njoku, Cedric Tillman, and Jamari Thrash are astounding. Adding Jerry Jeudy to this mix would make trying to halt that Browns offense an astronomical task.”
Trade Possibility Boosted by Friendly Relations?
Interestingly, Minnesota general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has previously worked with Browns GM Andrew Berry, resulting in a strong rapport between the two. This connection may stimulate trade discussions, given that the two organizations recently collaborated on the Cleveland acquisition of three-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher Za’Darius Smith.
Justin Jefferson’s Contract Talks: Catalyst for Trade Talks?
Jefferson’s ongoing contract talks with the Vikings have resulted in his name appearing in off-season trade speculations. Slated to play on the fifth-year option in his current rookie contract, the receiver will earn a fully guaranteed $19.743 million this season. Vikings, trying to reach an agreement with their star, had Jefferson not attend the start of OTAs or participate in voluntarily workouts earlier off-season.
Cleveland Browns Boost WR Roster
While the potential acquisition of Jefferson may only be a pipe dream, the Browns have undertaken genuine efforts in this off-season to bolster their wide receiver depth. The landmark transfer during this period has been the signing of former Denver Broncos’ first-round pick, Jerry Jeudy. Cleveland anticipates Jeudy will improve significantly after the change of scenery and has signed him to a three-year extension.
Alongside Jeudy, Cooper and Moore represent the Browns’ primary wide receivers. Cleveland has also fortified its depth by drafting Jamari Thrash in the fifth round. He will contend with former third-round picks Cedric Tillman and David Bell for in-game reps.
The success of Cleveland’s passing offense hinges on the availability of Deshaun Watson. Cleveland fans eagerly await his return, hoping he’ll be able to complete a full season after appearing in just 12 games over the past two seasons.