Several are eyeing the trade market for a new wide receiver, but former NFL star and current analyst Steve Smith does not think anyone should be interested in Jerry Jeudy. The Broncos wideout has been the subject of trade talks in recent weeks, and there is a very real chance that he will find a new home in the coming days. However, while on the airwaves, Smith went off on Jeudy, urging every franchise in the league to stay away at all costs.
Steve Smith Sr. just DESTROYED Jerry Jeudy on NFL Network.
Says if any NFL team calls him about trading for him, he’ll tell them not to do it.
Steve went off.
(via @nflnetwork, @dillybar2145)pic.twitter.com/FeY4lDvCSo
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 12, 2023
Steve Smith Destroys Jerry Jeudy, Says Not To Trade For Him
There is obviously a lot to take in here, and the video above is well worth a watch. However, there are some key quotes in that excerpt that deserve further analysis. Apparently, this entire situation started because Smith expressed some film-based concerns about Jeudy’s game on his podcast. The wide receiver apparently disproved those results with his solid play, and the former Panthers and Ravens receiver was going to apologize for his comments. Jeudy didn’t exactly accept the apology, and Smith believes that this says a lot about his ability to be a receiver at the highest level.
“I hope today that you actually show up in a way that you haven’t showed up in the last couple years since they drafted you,” Smith said. “Don’t trade for Jerry Jeudy, because he’s mentally unable to handle constructive criticism….can be be a wide receiver? He can be a wide receiver, he’s a Tier 3.”
Basically, Steve Smith is not backing down from his original criticism of Jerry Jeudy. He still believes that Jeudy belongs in the NFL, but he’s nothing more than a league-average player. While he has put up decent numbers in spurts, he has yet to play up to his first-round draft capital. For what it’s worth, Jeudy did not show up in Week 6’s matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, as the receiver finished the night with just three receptions for 14 yards on five targets.
Is This Criticism Warranted?
Based on name value alone, a sizable portion of the NFL community believes that Jeudy can thrive in the right environment and live up to his draft capital. Obviously, Steve Smith is not a Jerry Jeudy believer, and he knows a thing or two about how to play the wide receiver position. When looking purely at the numbers, Jeudy has had an 800- and 900-yard season, which shows that he can make plays against the highest level of competition. However, he has yet to prove that he can be anything more than an average starter.
Some people might want to blame his quarterbacks for his relatively subpar performances. Since entering the league, Jeudy has caught passes from Drew Lock, Teddy Bridgewater, and Russell Wilson, and those players aren’t exactly superstars. However, that can’t explain everything. Courtland Sutton and even Tim Patrick found ways to produce with these passers, and the 2023 version of Russell Wilson is not the same liability as the 2022 version. If Jeudy really was a top-15 talent, he’d find a way to make a name for himself in this environment.
A deeper look at the film backs this up. As pointed out by Steve Smith, Jerry Jeudy seems to have a bit of an effort issue, and he no longer has the speed that made him such a threat at Alabama. Without elite physical gifts, a player like Jeudy needs to give his all on every single play if he wants to stand out, and that’s simply not happening. As mentioned earlier, Jeudy can get open and belongs in the NFL, but anyone who thinks a change of scenery will bring out his Alabama form is kidding themselves.
Gives up on plays, sells nothing, has no juice, no enthusiasm. Effort feels based on when he thinks he’s getting the ball. I included the one (1) rep where he “engaged” a defender as a run blocker. Garbage-time stat-padder.
It’s an unequivocal NO for me. https://t.co/x7BIHMAW8S pic.twitter.com/PpNwE8v2KK
— Brain Phillips (@HatinAssBrian) October 12, 2023
Will Teams Heed the Warning?
Right now, the most likely Jerry Jeudy trade candidates are the Carolina Panthers, Buffalo Bills, and the Baltimore Ravens. The Panthers are not going to compete in 2023, but they need to give Bryce Young something to work with. Right now, the rookie’s best receiver is 33-year-old Adam Thielen, and no young quarterback could survive in that environment. With no first-round pick on the horizon, Carolina has no choice but to try and trade for an established veteran on the cheap. If a third-round pick gets it done, then perhaps Jerry Jeudy will don the same uniform as Steve Smith.
The Buffalo Bills, meanwhile, are in the midst of their Super Bowl window and need another receiver. Stefon Diggs is a superstar, but they need to find an adequate WR2, as Gabriel Davis is better off in a smaller role. Jeudy is actually a decent fit here, as he’ll never draw top coverage and won’t have to handle more than a 20% target share. The Bills have a great offense without him, and he could be the cherry on top. Assuming they won’t have to give up too much to get him, he could be a fine add.
The Baltimore Ravens are in a similar position, as they only have one proven commodity at wide receiver. Rookie Zay Flowers is proving that he belongs, but Odell Beckham and Rashod Bateman are not holding up their end of the bargain. Jeudy might not be a superstar, but he’s better than those two are at this point in their respective careers. Chances are, the Ravens would have to overpay for his services, but if they’re willing to spend up, they could get improved play at the position.
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Main Photo: Isaiah J. Downing – USA Today Sports
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