Cleveland Browns News

AFC NORTH

Harold Fannin Jr. • TE • Browns

Harold Fannin Jr. Surging in Fantasy Football Amid Volume Spike

Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. has seen a tremendous increase in volume lately, allowing him to rank as a steady TE1 option in fantasy football. Fannin caught 16 of his 21 targets for 245 yards across Weeks 7 and 8, demonstrating a larger role and an improved rapport with quarterback Deshaun Watson. The second-year tight end did cool off a little in Week 9, as he caught two passes for 42 yards and a touchdown, and both receptions came in overtime. However, the Browns started Shedeur Sanders last Sunday with Watson ruled out, and so we can likely chalk Fannin's lower target share up to the change in quarterback. Watson is expected to return to his post as the starting quarterback in Week 10 against the Houston Texans, and we'd expect Fannin's workload to soar once again. There is arguably no pass catcher that Watson trusts more than Fannin, and the 22-year-old finds himself in an even more central role with wide receiver Denzel Boston (toe) uncertain to play this week. The Browns have a Week 11 bye, but then they return to action with another stretch of very favorable matchups against the Raiders, Bengals, Falcons, Giants, Ravens, and Colts. As long as Watson and Fannin continue to demonstrate a strong rapport, the Bowling Green product should continue to rank as a mid-range TE1 with additional upside.

12 hours ago

Denzel Boston • WR • Browns

Denzel Boston Expected to Return to Practice on Thursday

Updating a previous report, Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken expects rookie wide receiver Denzel Boston (toe) to return to the practice field on Thursday, according to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. Boston is not expected to practice on Wednesday in the team's first session of the week, but the 22-year-old's toe injury does not appear to be serious enough to sideline him this weekend against the Houston Texans. The second-rounder out of the University of Washington caught six of his seven targets for a season-high 98 yards in Sunday's overtime loss to the New Orleans Saints in second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders' first start of the season in place of Deshaun Watson (concussion). Boston has had a strong showing so far in his first nine NFL games, catching 32 of his 61 targets for 507 yards and three touchdowns, but he has not found the end zone since the Oct. 11 loss to the New York Jets, and his fantasy value could take a hit in Week 10 against the Texans with Watson returning to the starting role for the Browns. As long as Boston is active this weekend, he should be on the WR2/3 borderline in fantasy.

Yesterday

Denzel Boston • WR • Browns

Denzel Boston Not Expected to Practice on Wednesday

Cleveland Browns rookie wide receiver Denzel Boston (toe) is not expected to participate in the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday, according to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. A DNP in the first practice of the week is notable with a new injury for the first-year receiver, but the 22-year-old still has two more days to get back on the practice field. We will keep a close eye on Boston's status over the next couple of days. If he is unable to play this weekend against the Houston Texans, fellow rookie pass-catcher KC Concepcion Jr. would essentially become a must-play flex option in fantasy lineups, with veteran Jerry Jeudy also becoming more intriguing as a deep-league flex. Boston caught six of his seven targets for 98 yards in Sunday's overtime loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 9, and he now has a 32-507-3 line in the first nine games of his NFL career. The 98 yards he had on Sunday were a new season high, but Boston has not found the end zone since Oct. 11, and he has only one game with double-digit targets so far. The Browns' move back to quarterback Deshaun Watson (concussion) this weekend probably hurts Boston's short-term value.

Yesterday

Jerry Jeudy • WR • Browns

Jerry Jeudy's Fantasy Value Continues to Plummet in Cleveland

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy's stock has fallen significantly in 2026 with the additions of rookies Denzel Boston and K.C. Concepcion Jr. Jeudy has seen his target share drop to 8.9 percent on the season, and while he runs 27.7 routes per game, he only sees 2.8 targets per game and ranks 103rd out of 114 in yards per route run. Jeudy, who is now in his seventh NFL season, appears to have lost most, if not all, of his fantasy value after finishing as the WR15 in 2024 and seeing over 100 targets in 2025. Considering Jeudy did not get traded at the deadline and his current role with the Browns is diminishing, Jeudy can be dropped in all redraft formats and is likely one of the last few people on your roster in dynasty formats, but even then, his value is plummeting, so if needed, fantasy managers could drop him.

Yesterday

Deshaun Watson • QB • Browns |

Shedeur Sanders • QB • Browns

Deshaun Watson Will Start in Week 10 Over Shedeur Sanders

The Cleveland Browns will start quarterback Deshaun Watson in Week 10 against the Houston Texans, according to Mary Kay Cabot. Watson suffered a concussion in Week 8's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, prompting second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders to start in Week 9. Sanders completed 19 of 31 passes for 297 yards, with two touchdowns and no interceptions, and added 28 rushing yards on 10 carries. Although the Browns lost in overtime to the New Orleans Saints, speculation around the league suggested the team would roll with Sanders for the foreseeable future. However, the Browns will continue to start Watson, who has had a bounce-back season in 2026. In eight games, he has completed 163 of 249 passes for 1,806 yards, seven touchdowns, and three interceptions, while adding 217 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Fantasy managers should still view Watson as a low-end QB2, while the rest of the offense should retain their value.

Yesterday

Deshaun Watson • QB • Browns |

Shedeur Sanders • QB • Browns

Todd Monken Not Naming a Starting QB Yet for Week 10

Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken is not naming a starting quarterback yet for Sunday's home game against the Houston Texans in Week 10, according to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. "I really haven't thought through it other than getting through this morning's tape. We just got done meeting with the guys; they'll flush the game, and then we'll have a chance to meet offensively more extensively a little bit later today," Monken said. This is a direct contradiction to an earlier report from ESPN's Jeremy Fowler that suggested that Deshaun Watson (concussion) is expected to start against the Texans as long as he clears the league's concussion protocol. Watson was inactive on Sunday in the overtime loss to the New Orleans Saints, and second-year QB Shedeur Sanders had a mostly positive showing, throwing for 297 yards and two touchdowns on 19-for-31 passing in his first start in 2026. Watson threw for over 300 yards in each of his last two starts, but he has not thrown for a touchdown in his last three games and leads the league with 33 sacks taken. We might have a QB controversy brewing in Cleveland, with neither signal-caller registering as much more than a low-end QB2 option in superflex leagues.

2 days ago

Deshaun Watson • QB • Browns

Browns Plan to Start Deshaun Watson in Week 10

The Cleveland Browns plan to start quarterback Deshaun Watson (concussion) in Week 10 against the Houston Texans, a source told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Shedeur Sanders filled in admirably in Sunday's overtime loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 9, but returning to Watson was the expected move once he cleared the league's concussion protocol. Watson came out of last week's loss to the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers with a concussion and did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday. The 31-year-old veteran was able to practice on Friday, but it was too late to be cleared, and he was inactive on Sunday in the loss in the Big Easy. Barring a setback with his head injury this week, Watson is expected to return to the starting role under center for the Browns in their Week 10 matchup against the Texans. Sanders showed the kind of passing upside on Sunday that Watson has yet to display consistently in 2026, and he will have a less-than-ideal matchup in his return this weekend. Watson has gone over 300 passing yards in each of his last two starts against the Steelers and Tennessee Titans, but he has not thrown a touchdown since Oct. 11 and will be a low-end QB2, at best, in superflex formats in Week 10 if he officially clears concussion protocol and is active against Houston, his former team.

3 days ago

Shedeur Sanders • QB • Browns

Shedeur Sanders Shines With a QB5 Finish in Week 9, Boosts Dynasty Stock

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders completed 19 of 31 passes for 297 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 23-22 loss to the New Orleans Saints. He added 28 yards on 10 carries. He earned 23.68 fantasy points and finished QB5 of the week. Sanders had a nice fantasy outing, throwing a touchdown pass to Harold Fannin Jr. in overtime and giving the Browns a shot at a two-point conversion to win. Sanders will likely give way to Deshaun Watson (concussion) as the starter once he returns, as the Browns (5-4) are in the thick of the playoff race and Watson hasn't necessarily proven he deserves the starting job. However, Sanders put on an impressive tape that should only help his stock in dynasty formats. Sanders will keep waiver-wire appeal as long as he's starting for the Browns and Watson is out.

3 days ago

Dylan Sampson • RB • Browns

Dylan Sampson's Receiving Role Makes Him Worth Adding

Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson rushed eight times for 21 yards in Sunday's 23-22 overtime loss to New Orleans. He also caught three of six targets for 27 yards, continuing to see steady involvement in the passing game. Since returning from injured reserve in Week 7, Sampson has caught 12 passes for 121 yards across three games. He received a season-high eight carries Sunday, although Quinshon Judkins remains Cleveland's primary rushing option. Sampson's six targets tied for second on the team, giving him some value in PPR formats even without a large rushing workload. Sampson is worth considering in 12-team PPR leagues ahead of Cleveland's Week 10 matchup against Houston.

3 days ago

Shedeur Sanders • QB • Browns

Shedeur Sanders Solid in Overtime Loss

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders completed 19 of 31 passes for 297 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 23-22 loss to the New Orleans Saints. He added 28 yards on 10 carries. Sanders was decent in relief of teammate Deshaun Watson (concussion) in Week 9. The second-year pro made some nice decisions and reads, but also fired a few misthrows as well. He notably underthrew both rookie wide receivers K.C. Concepcion Jr. (ankle) and Denzel Boston on wide-open deep attempts. However, both plays had positive outcomes due to outstanding effort by the wideout. All in all, it was a solid outing with no turnovers, while Sanders' rushing attempts were a career high. For now, Watson is expected to regain his starting role once he's cleared from a concussion, though it will be a situation to monitor until head coach Todd Monken gives definitive direction for their next game. Cleveland will face the visiting Houston Texans in Week 10.

3 days ago

KC Concepcion Jr. • WR • Browns

K.C. Concepcion Jr. Plays Through an Ankle Injury on Sunday

Cleveland Browns wide receiver K.C. Concepcion Jr. (ankle) caught four of his six targets for 85 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's Week 9 loss against the New Orleans Saints. Concepcion briefly exited with a non-contact ankle injury, but he returned to the game and ended up playing through the ailment. The Texas A&M product helped Cleveland stay competitive with the Saints on Sunday, but the Browns ultimately lost in overtime on a failed two-point conversion attempt. Concepcion has now caught at least three passes in each of his last four games, and Sunday's touchdown represented his first trip to the end zone since being drafted by the Browns. The 22-year-old should continue to operate as a strong WR3 option going forward, but he'll first need to get medical clearance. Concepcion's status will be worth monitoring as the Browns practice this week in preparation for Sunday's game against the Houston Texans.

3 days ago

KC Concepcion Jr. • WR • Browns

KC Concepcion Jr. Returns in Week 9 After Injury Scare

Cleveland Browns rookie first-round wide receiver K.C. Concepcion Jr. (leg) has returned to his team's Week 9 road matchup against the New Orleans Saints. The 22-year-old rookie was previously helped off the field and into the medical tent in the second half of Sunday's game after suffering an apparent leg injury. Concepcion had two receptions for 11 yards before exiting Sunday's game. Denzel Boston has led the air game for Cleveland in Week 9, although the passing game has generally struggled with Shedeur Sanders under center. The Browns' receivers have a low fantasy ceiling in Week 9.

3 days ago

Deshaun Watson • QB • Browns

Deshaun Watson Reportedly Inactive After Clearing Concussion Protocol

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (concussion) is inactive for Sunday's Week 9 game against the New Orleans Saints, according to Mary Kay Cabot. Watson returned to the Week 8 game against Pittsburgh after a concussion evaluation and reported symptoms to the team's medical staff Tuesday morning. He missed practice Wednesday and Thursday and was a limited participant Friday, when he went through individual drills. Cleveland listed him as questionable Friday, and he cleared the concussion protocol Saturday. Shedeur Sanders took the first-team reps throughout the week and will make his first start of the season, with Dillon Gabriel backing him up.

4 days ago

Deshaun Watson • QB • Browns

Deshaun Watson Expected to be Inactive Sunday, Should Return in Week 10

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson cleared concussion protocol on Saturday, but he is still expected to be inactive for Sunday's Week 9 contest against the New Orleans Saints, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. However, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports that Watson is expected to return in Week 10. The Browns are presumably making Watson inactive this Sunday because he was in concussion protocol all week long, which means that he didn't get a chance to practice and prepare for the Saints. Projected starter Shedeur Sanders and backup Dillon Gabriel, on the other hand, went through a full week of practice and were able to prepare for the packages that we might see in Sunday's game. Watson will get back to a full level of participation in practice on Wednesday, putting him on track to play in Week 10 against the Houston Texans.

4 days ago

Dylan Sampson • RB • Browns

Dylan Sampson's Receiving Role Offers PPR Flex Appeal Against Saints

Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson faces a New Orleans Saints defense surrendering 139.4 rushing yards per game, but most of that matchup benefit belongs to early-down runner Quinshon Judkins. Sampson's opportunity comes through the passing game. He caught six of eight targets for 62 yards in Cleveland's Week 8 loss to Pittsburgh, playing 39 offensive snaps (56%) while Judkins carried 11 times and Sampson only once. That workload came as the Browns trailed, so the snap advantage should not be mistaken for a takeover. Since returning from injured reserve in Week 7, Sampson has nine catches for 94 yards and seven carries for 52 yards. The Saints were off in Week 8; in their previous game, Pittsburgh backs Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle combined for nine catches and 81 receiving yards, highlighting the clearest route to useful production for Sampson. Shedeur Sanders is making his first start of the season, adding uncertainty to Cleveland's passing volume and checkdown opportunities. Sampson is absent from Friday's final injury report, and RotoBaller's updated Week 9 PPR rankings list him RB35. He's a fringe PPR flex, not a dependable starter.

4 days ago

Deshaun Watson • QB • Browns

Deshaun Watson Cleared From Concussion Protocol, Remains Questionable

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (head) has been cleared from the NFL's concussion protocol on Saturday but remains questionable for Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints in Week 9, according to Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. The Browns already announced on Friday that second-year QB Shedeur Sanders will start against the Saints, but Watson will make the trip and could be active as Sanders' backup. The 31-year-old Watson did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday before getting in a limited practice on Friday, which gives him a chance to suit up this weekend. The three-time Pro Bowler has led Cleveland to a 5-3 record through the first eight weeks in 2026, but he leads the NFL in sacks taken (33) and has not thrown a touchdown pass in the last three games. The Browns have not given Watson a vote of confidence by saying that he will be their starter after Week 9, so if Sanders comes in and shows out in New Orleans, the team could have a QB controversy on their hands. Watson came into Week 9 as the QB17 overall in fantasy scoring with 1,806 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and three interceptions in his eight starts.

4 days ago

Andre Szmyt • K • Browns

Andre Szmyt Is Reliable Kicker Option In Week 9

Cleveland Browns kicker Andre Szmyt is in a good spot to deliver solid results in Week 9 at the New Orleans Saints. The Browns are in a good position to score points against a very porous Saints defense and Szmyt has been a reliable option all season long. He is 16-of-18 on field goal attempts and 11-of-12 on extra-point tries this season. Szmyt has a long field goal of 56 yards this season and is coming off of two made field goals in Week 8's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Against the Steelers, Szmyt made one kick in the 30-yard range and one kick in the 40-yard range. Look for Szmyt to deliver more solid results in an indoor environment at the Saints.

5 days ago

Harold Fannin Jr. • TE • Browns

Harold Fannin Jr. Should Continue Hot Stretch In Week 9

Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. is starting to emerge in the Browns' passing game and should continue his hot stretch with another good game in Week 9 at New Orleans. With Shedeur Sanders stepping in at quarterback, he should look to Fannin Jr. as his main target against a Saints defense that ranks near the bottom of the league against the pass. Fannin Jr. is coming off a 10-catch, 154-yard performance in the Week 8 loss to the Steelers and had six catches for 91 yards two weeks ago at Tennessee. Fannin Jr. is racking up the targets the last two weeks with Deshuan Watson as his quarterback with nine against Tennessee and 12 against Pittsburgh. Fannin Jr. has shown that he is a reliable target and with inexperienced wide receivers in Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion Jr., he could come through as the main option for Sanders. Fannin Jr. is reliable on short-field targets and is an option down the middle of the field on deeper targets. He is averaging 11.7 yards per reception this season and has three receiving touchdowns. He hasn't scored since the first matchup with Pittsburgh in Week 4. Fannin Jr. looks like a very dependable tight end play this week. Start with confidence.

5 days ago

KC Concepcion Jr. • WR • Browns

KC Concepcion Jr. Still A Risky Play Against Saints

Cleveland Browns wide receiver KC Concepcion Jr. is starting to emerge a bit in the passing game, but is still a risky play in Week 9 at the New Orleans Saints. Concepcion Jr. has a good matchup overall against a Saints pass defense that is near the bottom of the NFL, but he lacks the overall consistency and touchdown potential needed to be a safe starting wide receiver. Concepcion Jr. had a breakout game two weeks ago against the Tennessee Titans with eight catches for 129 receiving yards, but he has yet to catch a touchdown pass this season and he averages just 10.7 yards per catch this season. The rookie out of Texas A&M needs to show more consistency and more outings like Week 7 at Tennessee before he can be counted on as a starting fantasy receiver. He also has yet to show any chemistry with backup quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Sanders could look for Concepcion Jr. as a short-field target but that is still an unknown with the two players yet to play with one another. Look elsewhere for a starting option this week.

5 days ago

Denzel Boston • WR • Browns

Denzel Boston A Good Play In Week 9 At New Orleans

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Denzel Boston looks like a promising fantasy play in Week 9 at the New Orleans Saints. Boston will look to develop some chemistry with Shedeur Sanders, who is starting at quarterback over Deshaun Watson. Boston was targeted 12 times in the Week 8 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and caught six passes for 37 receiving yards. The yards per catch were much lower than the norm for Boston who had established himself as a big-play wide receiver with Watson throwing him passes. Boston still averages 15.7 yards per catch this season and has 26 catches for 409 yards and three receiving touchdowns. Boston hasn't caught a touchdown pass in his last three outings and will look to find the end zone with Sanders throwing him the ball. He has a nice matchup with the Saints pass defense that is near the bottom of the league. Saints starting cornerbacks Kool-Aid McKinstry and Martin Emerson Jr. are beatable and Boston will be looking for a big play or two out of the hands of Sanders. Fantasy managers should start Boston with confidence.

5 days ago

Cleveland Browns News

LEGEND