Dawgs By Nature
The Cleveland Browns finally found a No. 1 wide receiver in 2024 in Jerry Jeudy.
After years of seeing wide receivers flame out (Josh Gordon), hit the end of their career (Jarvis Landry), or still believe they are the top option when they are clearly not (Odell Beckham Jr.), Jeudy finally gave the Browns what they were looking for with career highs in receptions (90) and receiving yards (1,229).
With Jeudy established as the top receiver, the Browns will enter the 2025 season hoping a group of young players, ranging from Cedric Tillman, the “veteran” among the rest as he enters his third season, to Jamari Thrash, Gage Larvadain, and Isaiah Bond, can collectively be an asset in the passing game. (We’re not including DeAndre Carter as he is primarily a returner and has not played regularly on offense since 2022.
There is understandably some doubt about the plan as Cleveland’s youngsters have combined for just 53 receptions, 585 receiving yards, and three receiving touchdowns at the NFL level.
But don’t count Jeudy among the doubters, who on Wednesday said that people are going to be surprised this fall by what the Browns can do in the passing game:
“A lot of outsiders may not know, but the people inside know who we got, and that’s why we got who we got.”
In particular, Jeudy called out Bond and rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. as players who can be difference-makers:
“(Isaiah) did a great job just coming in here and just learning the offense pretty quickly. He is a very smart, talented player (who is) going to have a big role on this offense. (Harold) can line up anywhere on the field, backfield, tight end, receiver. He has a great skill set, and I’m excited for him.”
Finally, the biggest change is that the Browns now have Joe Flacco at quarterback, which represents a major upgrade over the 2024 quarterback room of Deshaun Watson, Jameis Winston, and Dorian Thompson-Robinson, which collectively was one of the statistically worst in NFL history.
That upgrade is not lost on Jeudy:
“(Joe is) a veteran quarterback who knows the game of football, knows where to put the ball for receivers to make plays. He is a smart quarterback that you can learn a lot from.”
The Browns finally landed their No. 1 wide receiver in 2024. And while the rest of the wide receiver group still has a lot to prove, if the top guy is right, the offense may be taking a step up this season.
