Cleveland Browns News

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson took all of the first-team reps in practice on Friday on Day 3 of training camp, according to ESPN Cleveland. Watson went 18-for-27 passing on the day with no touchdowns and an interception. He also took all the first-team reps on the first day of training camp practice on Wednesday, with second-year signal-caller Shedeur Sanders getting the first-team looks on Thursday. For now, head coach Todd Monken plans to alternate first-team reps every day for Watson and Sanders as they compete for the QB1 job entering the start of the 2026 regular season in September. Watson struggled on Wednesday, at one point throwing back-to-back interceptions in 11-on-11 team drills. There's no clear leader in the competition just yet, but we should get a clearer picture once the pads go on to start next week. Whoever wins the Browns' starting QB gig will probably be on a very short leash and won't be a very exciting QB2 option in superflex fantasy leagues. Monken isn't expected to name a starter until much later in camp.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is taking the first-team reps at QB in training camp practice on Friday, as the alternating practices with second-year signal-caller Shedeur Sanders continue, according to ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. It means that Sanders will see the first-team reps for the team's first padded practice on Monday. As expected, the two QBs are splitting first-team work early in training camp. There is no clear leader in the quarterback competition this early, although Watson noticeably struggled the other day and threw back-to-back interceptions during 11-on-11 work. Head coach Todd Monken hasn't given a timetable for when he wants to announce the winner of the competition, but he did say he plans to play his starters in the preseason. We should have a better idea of who the leader in the competition is once pads come on. Watson has the experience over Sanders, but he also missed all of 2025 due to a torn Achilles tendon. Whoever wins the Browns' QB job will have a short leash and will be a low-end, low-upside QB2 option for fantasy managers in superflex leagues.

Cleveland Browns running backs coach Duce Staley said that RB Quinshon Judkins has "worked his ass off" to come back from his dislocated ankle and fractured fibula in Week 16 of his rookie campaign in 2025, according to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. "The sky is the limit ... I think that Q can play all three downs," Staley added. The 22-year-old former second-rounder from Ohio State is an emerging young RB, and although his fantasy ceiling could be limited by Cleveland's offense (especially their QB situation), Judkins is becoming a more attractive RB2 candidate for fantasy managers for what could be lots of volume. In 14 starts in his first NFL season in 2025, Judkins averaged only 3.6 yards per carry to finish with 827 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 230 carries. He added 26 receptions for 171 yards on 36 targets in the passing game. Judkins' fantasy ceiling could be limited with Dylan Sampson serving as the Browns' top pass-catching back, but it's clear Judkins' arrow is pointing up. RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 22 RB for 2026.

Cleveland Browns safety Grant Delpit has signed a new deal with the organization on Wednesday. They've agreed on a three-year, $48 million deal, including $35 million in guaranteed money. Delpit was expected to play out his final year in 2026, but the Browns aren't going to let him hit free agency. This past season, Delpit recorded 89 tackles, four pass breakups, and a career-high 3.0 sacks in 17 games with the Browns. The 27-year-old has been a viable option for this secondary since being drafted by the team in the second-round of the 2020 Draft. The Browns have now locked up both Delpit and Denzel Ward ahead of the 2026 season. The secondary should be solid in Cleveland, but we'll see how the rest of the defense looks without Myles Garrett.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (hamstring) reported to training camp healthy and took part in the team's first practice on Wednesday, according to Scott Petrak of The Elyria Chronicle-Telegram. Despite dealing with a hamstring injury during offseason workouts in the spring, Jeudy was a full-go for the start of camp as he looks to bounce back in 2026. The 27-year-old former 15th overall pick in 2020 by the Denver Broncos out of the University of Alabama caught 50 of his 106 targets for only 602 yards and two touchdowns in 17 games. It was especially disappointing after Jeudy was a first-time Pro Bowler in 2024 in his first year in Cleveland, when he had a 90-1,229-4 line in 17 games. On paper, Jeudy's prospects for a bounce-back don't look promising in 2026, with Cleveland's less-than-ideal QB battle and added target competition in the form of rookies KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston. It explains why Jeudy has fallen to No. 66 in RotoBaller's WR rankings for the upcoming season. Jeudy isn't going away in the Browns' offense, but he figures to be more of a boom/bust WR4/flex, at best.

The Cleveland Browns opened training camp on Wednesday, and it was quarterback Deshaun Watson who took all the first-team reps, according to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. Fantasy managers shouldn't read too much into it, though, as head coach Todd Monken said he will continue to split first-team QB reps in practice between Watson and second-year signal-caller Shedeur Sanders. Watson struggled on Day 1, throwing interceptions on back-to-back throws in 11-on-11 drills. Monken didn't disclose a timetable for naming a starting QB this summer, but he did say he plans to play his starters in the preseason. It will likely be Sanders' turn with the first-team offense on Thursday. There were conflicting reports this offseason speculating on which way Monken might be leaning for the starting QB role, but the bottom line is both Watson's and Sanders' play will determine the winner in camp and the preseason. Whoever wins the starting gig will likely be on a short leash and will be no more than a volatile, low-end QB2 for fantasy managers in two-QB superflex leagues.

Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken said on Wednesday that quarterbacks Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders will continue to split first-team reps early on in training camp, according to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. Monken also mentioned that there is no definitive timeline for when he wants to name the team's starting QB. We might not know for a while still which way Monken is leaning in the team's QB battle. Watson, 30, has the experience edge, but he has also played in just 19 games since joining the Browns on a lucrative deal, and he didn't play at all in 2025 after needing multiple surgeries to fix a torn Achilles tendon suffered in 2024. Sanders, meanwhile, has the momentum and has impressed the coaching staff since he fell to the fifth round in the 2025 NFL draft. The 24-year-old showed plenty of growing pains as a rookie with 1,400 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in eight games (seven starts). Whoever wins the Browns' QB job to begin the regular season will be on a short leash and will be nothing more than a low-end QB2 target in two-QB superflex fantasy leagues.

Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (groin) said he will be "full-go" for training camp despite having offseason groin surgery, according to Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. Fannin had surgery to fix a groin injury that he suffered in Week 17 of his rookie campaign, which explains why he missed the offseason program. It's something to keep an eye on entering the 2026 season, but with the 22-year-old fully cleared, he'll resume his role as the team's clear top pass-catching TE after an incredibly successful rookie season in 2025. After being taken with the 67th overall pick in the third round out of Bowling Green, Fannin caught 72 of his 107 targets for a team-leading 731 yards and six touchdowns in 16 games (13 starts) for the Browns. Although concerns about the long-term QB situation in Cleveland cloud his long-term fantasy appeal, Fannin should enter his second year in the NFL as at least a low-end TE1 target after his strong production in 2025. The fact that Fannin is a full-go for the start of training camp should also improve his ADP in fantasy drafts going forward.

Cleveland Browns Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward and the team agreed to a two-year, $62.2 million contract extension on Tuesday that makes him the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history for the second time in his career, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. The deal includes $52.3 million guaranteed. The 29-year-old former fourth overall pick in 2018 out of Ohio State has made the Pro Bowl five times in his eight NFL seasons, including in each of the last three years. He had 39 tackles (29 solo), one interception, and nine pass breakups in 15 starts for the Browns last year, and he has 18 total interceptions in 110 games played (107 starts). Ward was limited during mandatory minicamp last month with a neck injury, but he looks to be fully healthy now and ready to roll for the start of his ninth year in the league in early September.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) is back in the conversation, which is more than dynasty managers could say a year ago. He missed all of 2025 after re-rupturing his Achilles and undergoing another surgery, then returned this spring to share first-team work with Shedeur Sanders. The Browns have not named a starter and will carry the battle into camp. Dillon Gabriel and Taylen Green are still in the room, too. Watson's last game action came in 2024, when he threw for 1,148 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions in seven starts. He added 148 yards and a score on the ground, but 33 sacks told the other side of the story. RotoBaller ranks him QB30 in dynasty. That keeps Watson relevant in deeper Superflex leagues, though almost all of the appeal is tied to this season. He is 30, has not completed a full schedule since 2020, and is entering the final year of his contract. Contenders can hold through the competition. Rebuilders should be willing to move him if the starting job creates a market.

When the Cleveland Browns take to the field for their first practice of training camp on July 31, all eyes will be on second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders as he continues to battle for the starting job with veteran Deshaun Watson. New head coach Todd Monken declined to name a starter following a minicamp setting in which both players received praise from the coaching staff and media alike, and he could wait until deep into training camp to make his decision. The Browns will host a joint practice with the Bills in late August, and Monken may want to see how both Sanders and Watson perform in simulated action closer to what they'll face in the regular season before naming a starter. Despite eventually being named a Pro Bowler, Sanders completed less than 57% of his passes as a rookie while throwing more interceptions than touchdowns. In an improved offensive environment, he will need to show significant growth, first to win the job but then to matter for fantasy, and he is currently RotoBaller's QB34.

Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins (ankle, leg) will be a full-go for the start of training camp, sources told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. It's more positive news for the second-year RB after he took part in some team drills during offseason workouts following his season-ending dislocated right ankle and fractured fibula in Week 16 of the 2025 season. Before the injury, the 22-year-old ran for 827 yards and seven touchdowns on 230 carries (3.6 yards per attempt) while catching 26 of 36 targets for 171 yards in his 14 starts after the Browns took him in the second round (36th overall) out of Ohio State. Judkins wasn't exactly all that efficient on a per-touch basis, but the main takeaway is that he should be 100% healthy heading into Week 1 of his sophomore season as the Browns' unquestioned RB1 under new head coach Todd Monken. There are still some question marks, though, most notably whether he can develop as a pass-catcher and the Browns' QB situation, which makes him more of a low-end/midrange RB2 target in fantasy football drafts.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy is coming off his worst statistical season since 2021, when he only played 10 games. Last season, Jeudy had 50 catches for 602 yards and two touchdowns on 106 targets. The 27-year-old was forced to play with three different starting quarterbacks, with two of them being rookies. However, the offensive ecosystem has improved dramatically in Cleveland heading into 2026. The team spent their first three picks in the NFL Draft on that side of the ball by selecting Spencer Fano, KC Concepcion, and Denzel Boston. In addition, the quarterback play might not be spectacular, but it will be improved from a year ago. Jeudy is currently being drafted outside the top 135 picks according to Yahoo Sports data. His current price factors in his less-than-ideal quarterback play and the crowded pass-catching room he is in. Conversely, it does not bake in his ability to lead the team in targets and receiving yards. Jeudy is currently a free pick in redraft leagues this season even though he could become a solid flex option at some point this year.

Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson gave dynasty managers almost nothing as a runner during his rookie season. He finished with 175 yards on 65 carries, an average of 2.7 per attempt. The receiving work was harder to dismiss. Sampson caught 33 of 40 targets for 271 yards and two touchdowns, opening the year with eight catches for 64 yards and later taking a screen 66 yards for a score against Las Vegas. Cleveland did not add another back in the draft, leaving the 21-year-old as the leading complement to Quinshon Judkins. There is no lead-role opening right now. Judkins was a full participant by OTAs and minicamp after recovering from the ankle dislocation and fractured fibula that ended his rookie season. Still, Sampson does not need to replace him to matter. A steady passing-down role could be enough in deeper PPR formats, especially if the new staff finds more ways to get him into space. RotoBaller ranks Sampson as the dynasty RB54. Contenders may want a safer weekly option, but rebuilders can reasonably pursue him as a low-cost bet on his receiving ability.

The Cleveland Browns selected wide receiver Denzel Boston with the 39th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, making him their second pick at the position after spending a first-rounder on KC Concepcion, and adding to an exciting group of young playmakers that includes 2025 rookies Harold Fannin Jr. and Quinshon Judkins. With veteran receiver Jerry Jeudy also still on the roster, Boston could struggle to make an immediate impact in an offense with lingering questions at quarterback. Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders will continue their battle for the starting job when the Browns gather for training camp at the end of the month, and while both players would be wise to lean on Boston's size and contested catch ability, particularly in the red zone, the reality is that the rookie will be competing for the fourth pass-catching role in what could be an underwhelming offense. While expectations should remain tempered for 2026, at RotoBaller's WR60, Boston at least has the traits to make him an intriguing dart throw in the closing rounds of drafts.

With training camps set to open at the end of the month, a position battle that all fantasy managers should be paying close attention to is at the top of the wide receiver depth chart for the Cleveland Browns. The Browns spent one of their two first-round picks on Texas A&M receiver KC Concepcion before using another top 40 selection on Denzel Boston, adding the rookies to a room in which veteran Jerry Jeudy is looking to rebound from a disappointing 602-yard campaign. While Cleveland has steadily assembled a dynamic core of playmakers, the quarterback spot features its own battle to watch between second-year pro Shedeur Sanders and a redemption-seeking Deshaun Watson. While neither inspires much confidence at this point in their respective careers, whoever wins the job would do well to get the ball into the hands of players who can create yards after the catch, an area where Concepcion stood out in college. Nearly half of his 919 receiving yards in 2025 came after the catch, and if he is able to carve out something close to the Zay Flowers role in Todd Monken's offense, Concepcion could be a late-round gem as RotoBaller's WR49.

A third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. recorded 72 catches for 731 yards and six touchdowns on 107 targets across 16 games as a rookie. Even while splitting reps with veteran tight end David Njoku, Fannin Jr. finished the year as the TE8 in per-game PPR scoring. Entering 2026, Fannin Jr. profiles as the unquestioned TE1 in Cleveland following the offseason departure of Njoku in free agency. While the Browns used a pair of top-40 selections in the 2026 NFL Draft on wide receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston, Fannin Jr. may still profile as the most reliable and consistent target in the Cleveland passing game. The Browns' quarterback situation remains one of the NFL's worst on paper, which is a definite concern for Fannin Jr.'s fantasy upside. However, the 22-year-old specializes in winning in the short and intermediate areas of the field, which should make him a security blanket for whoever is lining up under center for Cleveland. Fannin Jr.'s track record as a high-volume target-earner dates back to his final year in college at Bowling Green, when he led the country in both receptions (117) and receiving yards (1,555). As the seventh tight end off the board by current redraft ADP, Fannin Jr. profiles as a value selection for fantasy managers.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Isaiah Bond flashed enough as a rookie to stay on the dynasty radar, but the roster got a lot less forgiving this spring. He turned 44 targets into 18 catches for 338 yards, an 18.8-yard average, without finding the end zone. Cleveland then used the 24th and 39th picks on KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston. Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman are still here, too. Bond did help himself during offseason work. He added roughly 15 pounds, looked stronger through contact, and made plays at every level of the field. The Browns praised the progress, though none of it guarantees him a regular role once camp begins. Cleveland also has an unsettled quarterback competition, which does not help a receiver fighting for the back end of the rotation. RotoBaller has Bond 269th overall in its latest dynasty rankings. That is deep-league territory. He is worth tracking through August, not forcing onto ordinary dynasty rosters before the depth chart starts to clear.

The Athletic's Zac Jackson singles out Cleveland Browns second-year running back Quinshon Judkins as a breakout candidate to watch in 2026, even though he suffered a season-ending fractured fibula and dislocated ankle last December. Judkins was ahead of his rehab schedule this spring and "figures to be featured in new head coach Todd Monken's offense." The 22-year-old former second-rounder (36th overall) out of Ohio State missed all of training camp last year due to an assault charge that was eventually dropped. He made his NFL debut in Week 2 and quickly showed why the Browns consider him such a big part of their future. Judkins finished with 827 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 230 rushing attempts while adding 26 receptions for 171 yards as a pass-catcher in 14 starts as a rookie. He needs to be healthy and improve on passing downs, but he's surely going to see plenty of volume and will have ample opportunities to prove he's an explosive and reliable runner for Monken. Even with the Browns' questionable QB situation, Judkins is a target for fantasy managers in both dynasty/keeper leagues and redraft formats in 2026.

When NFL teams gather for training camps at the end of the month, one of the league's most intriguing battles will be for the starting quarterback job in Cleveland. Browns veteran Deshaun Watson was thought to have an early edge in the pass-heavy setting of OTAs and minicamp, though reports from some of the later sessions seemed to indicate that second-year pro Shedeur Sanders had significantly narrowed the gap. A former first-round pick of the Houston Texans, Watson was once viewed as a rising star in the league, but his career has been derailed by character issues and a string of serious injuries, most recently missing the entirety of the 2025 season after rupturing his Achilles tendon for the second time. He has not thrown for more than 1,150 yards since 2020, and even if he wins the starting job outright, existing health concerns would only be compounded by the rigors of a full 17-game season. The Browns have done an admirable job of building around the quarterback position, spending three top-40 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft on offensive line and wide receiver after hitting on rookie tight end and running back Harold Fannin Jr. and Quinshon Judkins in 2025, and Watson could gain an advantage by what he's able to provide with his legs. While not an exciting pick, the 10th-year veteran is practically free at the end of 2026 drafts, currently coming off the board as the QB32, but if he's able to win the job and stay healthy, he could add surprising value in Todd Monken's offense and is a worthwhile dart-throw as a third quarterback in superflex leagues.