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Deshaun Watson • QB • Browns

Todd Monken Confident in Deshaun Watson's Downfield Passing Ability

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, whose tenure with the Browns has been defined by suspension and injury-related layoffs, has seen his accuracy downfield decline in recent years, according to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. Watson ranked third among 34 qualifying QBs in completion rate (58.8%) on downfield passes in 2018, according to Next Gen Stats. He led the league in passing yards in 2020. But in 2023, Watson completed only 39.3% of his downfield attempts, which would have ranked as the worst in the league if he qualified. In 2024, he completed a career-low 37.9% of his downfield attempts before tearing his Achilles, sidelining him for the final 10 games. Additionally, Watson has been less aggressive in pushing the ball down the field, which was impacted by a shoulder injury in 2023 that eventually required surgery. Although Watson was fully healthy this summer in training camp, he was inconsistent and continued to struggle to push the ball downfield in the preseason. Still, he won the starting QB job over Shedeur Sanders, and head coach Todd Monken has confidence that Watson will be able to find explosive plays down the field in his offense in 2026. "I'm confident in Deshaun and our ability to push the ball down the field, otherwise we wouldn't be starting him, Monken said.

21 hours ago

Denzel Boston • WR • Browns

Denzel Boston a Must-Add Wide Receiver Amidst Preseason Buzz

After recording over 1,700 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns across his final two collegiate seasons at the University of Washington, wide receiver Denzel Boston was selected 39th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. Boston has reportedly been an impressive performer throughout the preseason in Browns camp, and he could be in line for a significant role in the Cleveland offense right away. With fellow rookie KC Concepcion and veteran wideout Jerry Jeudy as his primary competition, Boston has a legitimate chance to emerge as the Browns' WR1 before the end of the year. Despite the underwhelming quarterback situation in Cleveland, Boston profiles as a must-add wide receiver in any fantasy league where he remains unrostered ahead of 2026.

2 days ago

Dylan Sampson • RB • Browns

Dylan Sampson a Worthy Deep-League Running Back Stash

A fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson recorded 446 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on 98 touches across 15 games (two starts). The 21-year-old saw most of his production in the passing game, hauling in 33 catches for 271 yards and two scores on 40 targets. Entering 2026, Sampson remains unlikely to see significant work as a rusher as long as Browns RB1 Quinshon Judkins remains healthy. However, Sampson appears to be the team's clear RB2 and should play a consistent role as Cleveland's top pass-catching back. Heading into his second NFL season, Sampson profiles as an appealing handcuff running back option for fantasy managers with some standalone upside in full PPR scoring formats.

2 days ago

Shedeur Sanders • QB • Browns

Shedeur Sanders Slides Further in Dynasty Leagues

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders had a chance to carry last year's starting role into his second season. He couldn't hold onto it. Deshaun Watson won Cleveland's quarterback competition after the two traded first-team reps throughout camp, and the Browns have since confirmed Sanders will open the year as the backup. That's a rough turn for a fifth-round pick who still had plenty to prove after completing 56.6% of his passes for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions as a rookie. Sanders went 3-4 across seven starts and added 169 yards and a touchdown on the ground, but Cleveland had a full summer to evaluate him and chose Watson. His dynasty value had already been slipping before the decision. RotoBaller ranked Sanders No. 207 overall in January, No. 258 in June and now has him at No. 269 in its Sept. 1 dynasty rankings. He's still only 24 and sits one injury or poor stretch from another opportunity, but dynasty managers have a lot less certainty than they did entering the offseason.

3 days ago

Harold Fannin Jr. • TE • Browns

Harold Fannin Jr. Has Clear Path To High Targets

Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. is looking like the Browns' top target around a relatively inexperienced group of wide receivers. Fannin Jr. is inexperienced himself, in only his second season, but he produced as a rookie and is looking to build on that this year. The tight end started 13 of the Browns' 16 games last season and recorded 72 catches on 107 targets for 731 yards and six touchdowns. With David Njoku out of the picture this season, those 107 targets could very well increase. The quarterback play in Cleveland is a question mark with Deshaun Watson starting the season as the starter, but Fannin Jr. has shown he can make the most of his opportunities. He could potentially be the lead target in front of receivers like Denzel Boston, KC Concepcion, and Jerry Jeudy.

4 days ago

Dylan Sampson • RB • Browns

Dylan Sampson a Handcuff with Pass-Catching Upside

Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson enters the 2026 season as a solid handcuff in fantasy football, but he also has a chance to carve out standalone value with his pass-catching ability. Sampson was limited to just 175 rushing yards across 15 games in his role behind Quinshon Judkins last year, but he made an impact as a receiver with 33 catches, 271 receiving yards, and two receiving touchdowns. Judkins will occupy the lead-back role again this year, but he may not play every down, opening the door for Sampson to get targets specifically on third downs. Plus, if Judkins were to miss any time due to injury, Sampson would step into the lead-back role. As it stands, he's the RB55 in RotoBaller's latest redraft fantasy football rankings. He has an ADP of 168.4, which corresponds to the 14th round and makes him the 53rd running back off the board.

4 days ago

Jerry Jeudy • WR • Browns

New Role, Crowded Depth Chart in Cleveland Clouds Jerry Jeudy's Value

Jerry Jeudy is listed as a starting wide receiver for Week 1 on the Cleveland Browns' depth chart, but his exact role remains uncertain. Cleveland head coach Todd Monken is expected to move Jeudy around as a Z or F receiver, instead of his usual role as an X, which is generally considered a team's No. 1 wideout. However, Monken noted that Jeudy could still play as the X as well. With rookie Denzel Boston now expected to play the X spot, fellow rookie wideout KC Concepcion also emerging as a starter, and tight end Harold Fannin Jr. expected to remain heavily involved, Jeudy may not see as many targets as he did last season (106). Jeudy ranked second on Cleveland in 2025 with receptions (50) and receiving yards (602), behind Fannin. He also scored just two touchdowns. Jeudy, RotoBaller's No. 77 wide receiver (half-PPR), is currently rostered in just 12% of Yahoo leagues, but is somebody to monitor in the later rounds of upcoming fantasy football drafts.

4 days ago

Deshaun Watson • QB • Browns

Deshaun Watson's Starting Job Doesn't Erase Preseason Concerns

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson won the starting job, but his preseason left plenty of reasons to stay cautious in fantasy. Watson looked comfortable in the opener against Chicago, completing 11 of 15 passes for 126 yards, although he lost a fumble on a fourth-down sack. A week later, the offense went nowhere against Buffalo. Watson finished 5-for-12 for 36 yards with an interception before Cleveland shut down its starters for the preseason finale. Todd Monken still gave him the Week 1 job after evaluating the full offseason, camp, joint practices and games, so the Browns clearly saw more than the uneven game tape. Fantasy managers don't have to be as patient. Watson hasn't played a regular-season snap since tearing his Achilles in October 2024, then re-rupturing it and missing all of 2025. The job is his, but the August inconsistency did little to suggest an immediate fantasy rebound. Watson is best left to deeper Superflex formats until he shows he can string together productive games again.

4 days ago

Denzel Boston • WR • Browns

Denzel Boston is Gaining Traction After Strong Showing in Camp

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Denzel Boston has been one of the most impressive players in this offense during training camp. The Browns are extremely pleased with the results they've been getting from the second-round rookie. According to the Browns' unofficial depth chart, Boston is listed as a starting wideout alongside Jerry Jeudy. The Browns don't have many viable options to count on as pass-catchers, so both Boston and fellow rookie KC Concepcion could play significant roles right away. The 22-year-old is looking like a sleeper target in the late rounds during redraft formats. It might take some time, but fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if Boston makes a big impact in Cleveland this upcoming season.

5 days ago

Quinshon Judkins • RB • Browns

Quinshon Judkins Expected to Have High-Volume Role for Browns

After working his way back from an ankle and fibula injury suffered in Week 16 of the 2025 season, Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins is set for a large role in 2026. Unsurprisingly, Judkins is listed as the Browns' top running back on the depth chart, with Dylan Sampson and Raheim Sanders behind him. Judkins is in line for a high-volume role in an offense led by head coach Todd Monken and offensive coordinator Travis Switzer. During his time as offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens from 2023 through 2025, Monken's offenses had more rushing attempts than passing attempts each year. In two seasons under Monken with the Ravens, running back Derrick Henry carried the ball 325 times and 307 times, respectively. Additionally, many questions remain about Cleveland's passing game with Deshaun Watson at quarterback. While defenses may stack the box against Judkins, he faced that often as a rookie in 2025 as well. Last season, Judkins rushed 230 times for 827 yards and seven touchdowns, including 505 yards after contact, while adding 26 receptions for 171 yards. Judkins currently has a Yahoo ADP of 54.2. He ranks as RotoBaller's No. 59 overall player and No. 24 running back in half-PPR formats.

7 days ago

KC Concepcion • WR • Browns

KC Concepcion Hopes to Carry Strong Summer into Regular Season

Cleveland Browns wide receiver KC Concepcion said he's looking forward to carrying his strong play in training camp over into the regular season, Chris Easterling reports. Concepcion only made one preseason appearance, but he looked good during that contest versus the Chicago Bears. He hauled in three receptions for 27 yards and scored a 14-yard rushing touchdown. It sounds like Concepcion has earned enough trust from his coaches to be an immediate impact player in Cleveland. He currently has an ADP of 120.2, but has the potential to be a top-35 player at his position.

7 days ago

Jaleel McLaughlin • RB • Browns

Jaleel McLaughlin Signs Practice-Squad Deal with Browns

Veteran running back Jaleel McLaughlin has signed a practice-squad deal with the Cleveland Browns, per an announcement from the team. McLaughlin spent the first three years of his NFL career with the Denver Broncos, but he fell out of the team's regular running back rotation in 2025 and was waived by Denver on Sunday. The Browns have a pair of second-year running backs atop their depth chart in Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson. However, McLaughlin could potentially work his way into the backfield mix in Cleveland in the case of an injury. The 25-year-old has been efficient when given the opportunity to this point in his pro career, recording 1,356 scrimmage yards and seven touchdowns on 285 touches across 41 career NFL games (nine starts). McLaughlin is not roster-worthy yet, but he could be a name to monitor on the waiver wire in deeper fantasy leagues.

Sep 1

Dillon Gabriel • QB • Browns

Dillon Gabriel's Back Injury Not Considered Serious

Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken does not think that quarterback Dillon Gabriel's (back) injury is a major injury, according to Zac Jackson of The Athletic. Monken thinks Gabriel first injured his back on a third-down run in the preseason finale last Thursday against the New England Patriots. With Gabriel opening the 2026 regular season on Injured Reserve (he will be required to miss at least the first four weeks), rookie Taylen Green and Shedeur Sanders will split scout-team reps in the next two weeks. As long as Gabriel does not suffer a setback with his back in the next couple of weeks, he should be ready to rejoin the 53-man roster for Week 5. For now, the second-year QB's injury allows the Browns to keep Green on their active roster as the QB3 behind Sanders and starter Deshaun Watson. The 25-year-old former third-rounder from Oregon failed to do much outside of short-area throws as a rookie, throwing for 937 yards, seven touchdowns, and two interceptions in 10 games (six starts) before an injury opened up the starting gig for Sanders the rest of the season in 2025.

Aug 31

Taylen Green • QB • Browns

Taylen Green Sticks in Browns' Four-QB Room

Cleveland Browns quarterback Taylen Green has made the team's initial 53-man roster, according to Daniel Oyefusi, citing Mary Kay Cabot. Cleveland is now expected to carry four quarterbacks, with Green joining Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. The sixth-round rookie didn't play in either of the Browns' first two preseason games, but he finally got his chance Thursday against New England. Green completed five of seven passes for 27 yards and did most of his damage with his legs, leading Cleveland with 66 rushing yards on eight carries. The Browns drafted the 6-foot-5 Arkansas product 182nd overall after being drawn to his size, speed and arm talent. Watson is the starter and Sanders is expected to serve as the Week 1 backup, leaving Green buried for immediate fantasy purposes. Cleveland clearly saw enough developmental upside, though, to keep him rather than risk exposing him to waivers.

Aug 30

Dillon Gabriel • QB • Browns

Browns Place Dillon Gabriel on Injured Reserve

Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel (back) has been placed on injured reserve with a designation to return, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Cleveland planned to keep four quarterbacks from the preseason into the regular season, and placing Gabriel on IR will allow them to use just three roster spots on quarterbacks. Rookie Taylen Green has made the team as the third-string quarterback, but Gabriel will presumably return to the No. 3 quarterback role once he's activated from IR. With that being said, Watson is the only fantasy-relevant quarterback in Cleveland right now, as he'll get the nod to start Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Browns also have Shedeur Sanders waiting in the wings in case Watson struggles out of the gate.

Aug 30

Dillon Gabriel • QB • Browns

Dillon Gabriel Set to Make Browns' 53-Man Roster

Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel is set to make the team's initial 53-man roster heading into the regular-season opener on Sept. 13, sources told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. After a strong training camp and preseason this summer, Gabriel has earned the QB3 role entering his second NFL season behind starter Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders. After the Browns took the 25-year-old in the third round (94th overall) out of Oregon last April, he threw for 937 yards, seven touchdowns, and two interceptions in his first 10 NFL games (six starts) before an injury opened the door for Sanders to close out the year as the Browns' starter. Cleveland could end up keeping four QBs on their initial roster, with the Browns hoping to keep rookie Taylen Green around because of his rushing upside. While Gabriel has looked good this summer, he struggled to do much down the field as a rookie, and his dynasty/keeper upside remains minimal.

Aug 30

Taylen Green • QB • Browns

Browns Want to Keep Rookie QB Taylen Green on the Roster

The Cleveland Browns would like to keep rookie sixth-round quarterback Taylen Green on their 53-man roster on Sunday if they can find a way to do it, according to Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. It looks like the Browns could be keeping four signal-callers on their initial 53-man roster after all under new head coach Todd Monken. Green would be the team's QB4 behind starter Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, and Dillon Gabriel. The 23-year-old from Arkansas needs some development as a passer, but it is clear that the Browns are intrigued by his ability to scramble and pick up chunk gains with his legs. Gabriel solidified his spot as the Browns' QB3 with a strong preseason showing after he was taken two rounds ahead of Sanders in the 2025 NFL draft. If Green can develop as a passer this year, he could have a future in Cleveland. In fantasy, he is merely a bench stash in deep dynasty/keeper leagues.

Aug 30

Harold Fannin Jr. • TE • Browns

Harold Fannin Jr. Has Position All to Himself, Comes with a Steep Price Tag

Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. faces minimal competition within his position group, setting him up for another big year in fantasy football. Fannin excelled as a rookie last year, despite dealing with inconsistent quarterback play and losing some volume to David Njoku. He finished his first pro season with 72 catches, 731 yards, and six touchdowns, ranking as the overall TE6 in PPR leagues. While subpar quarterback play likely awaits Fannin again in Year 2, he now has the tight end room all to himself after Njoku left in free agency. As a result, we can expect the Bowling Green product to rank as a mid-range TE1 once again this year. The only bad news is that his price tag has already adjusted to these 2026 expectations; he currently has an ADP of 80.6, which corresponds to the seventh round and makes him the eighth tight end off the board. You're not getting him at a discount, but you're not necessarily overpaying either. Fannin is being drafted ahead of George Kittle, Travis Kelce, and Dallas Goedert, so managers will have some difficult decisions to make at the tight end position in the middle rounds of drafts this year.

Aug 30

KC Concepcion • WR • Browns

KC Concepcion Still a Redraft Target Despite Some Quarterback Concerns

Cleveland Browns wide receiver KC Concepcion has a very high ceiling in dynasty fantasy football leagues, but he also possesses legitimate redraft appeal for the 2026 season. A first-round pick out of Texas A&M, Concepcion put together a strong training camp and sat out Week 3 of the preseason, which suggests that he'll open the regular season as the No. 2 receiver on the Browns' depth chart behind Jerry Jeudy. With that being said, Jeudy struggled to the tune of 50 catches, 602 yards, and two touchdowns across 17 games last year, so Concepcion has a very real chance to lead the receiver room in all three categories. Even with Deshaun Watson (and perhaps Shedeur Sanders, eventually) installed as the starting quarterback, Concepcion should have the skill set to overcome subpar quarterback play and maintain a WR3/flex floor throughout his rookie season. He ranks as RotoBaller's WR47, and he currently has an ADP of 120.2. On average, he's the 50th wide receiver to come off the board in fantasy drafts, so he's a potential steal at his price tag if managers agree that he has top-36 value.

Aug 29

Denzel Boston • WR • Browns

Fantasy Managers Might Have to be Patient with Denzel Boston

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Denzel Boston is an intriguing dynasty fantasy football option with his early-second-round draft capital, but managers shouldn't expect him to contribute right away in redraft formats. First of all, the Browns gave Boston some snaps in Week 3 of the preseason while resting Jerry Jeudy and KC Concepcion, which suggests that he's no higher than third on the depth chart. There's a decent chance that Boston won't be on the field for the first snap of Week 1, which could hinder both his floor and ceiling. Additionally, the Browns have a pretty dismal quarterback situation right now after naming Deshaun Watson the starter over Shedeur Sanders. On some teams, the No. 3 receiver might be able to carve out low-end WR3/flex appeal, but that won't be the case for Boston, regardless of whether he's catching passes from Watson or Sanders. The rookie has an ADP of 151.8, which puts him in the 13th round and makes him the 58th receiver off the board. Given his position on the depth chart and the state of the Browns' depth chart, we'd rather have someone like Jalen Nailor, Keenan Allen, or Tre' Harris at that price tag.

Aug 29

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