The NY Jets are keeping a close eye on the wide receiver trade market this offseason. That includes now-former Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, who was shipped to the Cleveland Browns on Saturday.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler is reporting that the Jets and New England Patriots were among the teams that inquired about Jeudy’s availability before he was sent to Cleveland for a package of 2024 fifth and sixth-round picks.

The Jets are clearly monitoring the wide receiver market, with players like Diontae Johnson and Courtland Sutton also possibly on the move. Jeudy may have piqued their interest, but this shouldn’t be seen as a huge loss for the Jets.

There’s a reason the Broncos were only able to receive a pair of Day 3 picks for their former first-round pick. The Jets can do better this offseason.

Became clear this week Denver was warming up to finally trading Jerry Jeudy, who had interest from five or six teams, including #Jets and #Patriots, per source.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 9, 2024

NY Jets missing out on Jerry Jeudy trade is no big loss

Jeudy would have absolutely upgraded the Jets’ wide receiver room. The former Alabama star is a quality NFL wide receiver who finished last season with 54 catches for 758 yards and two touchdowns in 16 games.

He’s a crisp route runner and a reliable third option in an offense, but he was available for Day 3 picks for multiple reasons.

Jeudy is entering the final year of his contract in 2024 and carries a cap hit of nearly $13 million. Expiring contracts always lower the value of potential trade candidates, and Jeudy is no exception.

Any team acquiring Jeudy would be on the hook for a relatively costly cap hit in 2024 and would need to think about extending him in the near future. Contract value is almost as important as player value when it comes to trades.

Not to mention, the Jets can do better than Jeudy and his unappealing contract situation. One such option is the aforementioned Sutton, who would be on the books for just $9.7 million and $14 million for an acquiring team.

The Jets could also find cheaper, better options in free agency. Players like Tyler Boyd, Kendrick Bourne, Curtis Samuel, Michael Thomas, etc. all represent potential upgrades for less than what Jeudy would cost.

This isn’t to say that Jerry Jeudy wouldn’t have been a welcomed addition to a Jets’ wide receiver room that needs plenty of work, but it is to say that the Jets can do better than this.

The Jets need to find ways to upgrade their wide receiver room this offseason, but trading for Jeudy shouldn’t have been at the top of their list.