Cleveland Browns Depth Chart
- AFC North
- Stadium
- FirstEnergy Stadium
- Head Coach
- Kevin Stefanski
- Offensive Coordinator
- Alex Van Pelt
- Defensive Coordinator
- Joe Woods
- Special Teams Coach
- Mike Priefer
- Defensive Scheme
- 4-3
Cleveland Browns defensive end Joe Jackson landed on the COVID-19 list on Tuesday, thereby putting his status for Sunday's game against Jacksonville in question. Players do not have to test positive for the virus to be placed on the list. Jackson has been a lightly utilized defensive end for the Browns Defense this season, not having taken the field since Week 4. Even without Defensive Player of the Year candidate Myles Garrett last week, Cleveland turned in one of its best defensive outings of 2020, which bodes well for the group's upside against a Jaguars offense that failed to score a touchdown last week. Jackson's inclusion on the COVID-19 list does not appear to be affecting the status of Sunday's game at this stage. Cleveland's D has taken a slight hit with Garrett out and Denzel Ward hurt, but they're still worth starting this weekend in an excellent matchup.
Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (calf) is expected to miss a few weeks with a calf strain, according to sources. It's a tough break for the Browns secondary and defense overall, but the good news is that they're facing the lowly Jaguars in Week 12. The loss of Ward for multiple weeks is a blow to this defense and should knock them down slightly in the weekly rankings, but they are still worth using in 10-team leagues as a starting fantasy unit this weekend against Jacksonville. The 23-year-old was a Pro Bowler in his rookie season in 2018 after being taken fourth overall in the draft, and he has 38 tackles (32 solo), two interceptions, a league-leading 15 passes defensed and one forced fumble in 10 games this season.
Cleveland Browns pass-rusher Myles Garrett will miss the Week 12 game against the Jaguars after going on the COVID-19 list, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski. Garrett was put on the COVID-19 list several days ago and also missed the Week 11 win over the Eagles. He'll now be hoping to return for a Week 13 matchup with the Titans on Dec. 6. Despite missing the game against the Eagles this past Sunday, Garrett remains No. 1 among defensive lineman in fantasy points. The 24-year-old has 31 combined tackles, seven tackles for loss, 14 QB hits, a league-high four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and a league-high 9.5 sacks in nine games. Cleveland's defense will miss him again this week, but they are still a prime fantasy unit while facing Jacksonville.
The Cleveland Browns Defense played extremely well in a 22-17 win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 11. Cleveland's defense notched five sacks, a safety, and forced three turnovers in the win over a Philly offense that struggled for much of the afternoon. Fantasy managers who started Cleveland's defense were also treated to a defensive touchdown when Sione Takitaki returned an interception 50 yards for a score in the second quarter. Olivier Vernon led the way with three sacks in a game where star defender Myles Garrett did not play. Cleveland's defense will be a strong option again in Week 12 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Cleveland Browns tight end Austin Hooper caught three of five targets for 33 yards in a 22-17 win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 11. It could have been a bigger game for Hooper but Baker Mayfield threw too high for him while he was wide open in the end zone. It has been a slow fantasy season for Hooper in his first year with the Browns. Cleveland's offense simply doesn't throw often enough to support Hooper, who did most of his damage in 2019 thanks to high volume in the Atlanta Falcons offense. Hooper will be a high-end TE2 in Week 12 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.