Jerry Jeudy's connection to the Browns didn't start with this past Saturday's trade agreement between his former team, the Denver Broncos, and his new team. That's why the newest wide receiver on Cleveland's roster felt right at home when the deal was made official on Wednesday afternoon.

“I had heard that the Browns were interested in me even two years ago," Jeudy said in a release from the team. "To hear that, and then be here now is exciting. It’s surreal. I feel like I am wanted, and the team has really made me feel welcomed."

The acquisition of Jeudy finally became official shortly after 4 p.m. Wednesday, when the NFL's league year began. That was one of four announcements by the Browns regarding free-agent signings which had been agreed to over the previous two-plus days: re-signing defensive end Za'Darius Smith along with the signing of offensive tackle Hakeem Adeniji, linebacker Jordan Hicks and running back/return man Nyheim Hines.

The signing of quarterback Jameis Winston, which was confirmed Tuesday, was not announced with the initial group of free-agent deals. Winston can't sign with the Browns until the New Orleans Saints officially release him with a post-June 1 designation, a move that had occurred by not been announced.

Four Browns players who were re-signing with the team — punter Corey Bojorquez, offensive guard Michael Dunn and defensive tackles Shelby Harris and Maurice Hurst II — also were not announced with the initial wave of transactions.

Browns general manager Andrew Berry had shown interest in Jeudy, the No. 15 overall pick in the 2020 draft, for some time. Much like another wide receiver whom he acquired in a March trade — Elijah Moore, picked up last March from the New York Jets — he merely had to wait to finally get what he wanted.

That came this past Saturday, when the Broncos agreed to send Jeudy to the Browns in exchange for a pair of picks in April's draft. The Broncos will get a the fifth-round pick, No. 135 overall, Cleveland received from the Carolina Panthers in the Baker Mayfield trade and the sixth-round pick, No. 202 overall, it received from the Houston Texans in the Deshaun Watson trade.

For Jeudy, a South Florida native who played at the University of Alabama, the deal adds him to a room with two others from his home region: Amari Cooper and Moore. Cooper, who was also a former first-round pick out of Alabama, has been a player Jeudy has looked up to for some time.

"The Browns already had a great receiving corps with guys like Amari Cooper and Elijah Moore and I think I will fit in with them," Jeudy said in the team's release. "Amari is actually a guy I’ve been modeling my game after since I was young and we became friends while I was at 'Bama. I am excited to see what the future holds.”

The 6-foot-1, 193-pound wide receiver played in 16 games last season, starting 11, with 54 catches for 758 yards and two touchdowns. For his 57-game career, Jeudy has caught 211 passes for 3,053 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Jerry Jeudy 'welcomed' as one of the newest Cleveland Browns