2025 Cleveland Browns Fantasy Preview
2025 Cleveland Browns Fantasy Preview The 2025 NFL Draft provided the perfect opportunity for GM Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski to hit reset on a roster that fell to 3-14 last season. Mission accomplished. The Browns added weapons on both sides of the ball and acquired Jacksonville’s first-rounder in 2026. While the draft brought an infusion of youth, that didn’t necessarily apply to the most important position. Deshaun Watson’s albatross contract still hamstrings the Browns. Recovering from a torn Achilles, Watson is expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2025 season. 40-year-old Joe Flacco is expected to take over as the starter in his return to Cleveland. Kenny Pickett, third-rounder Dillon Gabriel, and embattled fifth-round rookie Shedeur Sanders give the Browns depth under center. Nick Chubb was not retained, which opens the door for second-round Ohio State rookie Quinshon Judkins to take over as the starter. Judkins (6-0, 219) has good size and ranked 4th in FBS with 179 missed tackles forced in 2024. He was the third running back selected in this deep class and has RB2 upside in an offense that wants to rely on the rushing attack. Judkins will form a solid tandem with Jerome Ford, who averaged 5.4 yards per tote last season and caught 37 balls. Fourth-round Tennessee RB Dylan Sampson has a three-down skill set and gives the Browns depth after they ranked 27th in rushing EPA last season. Flacco winning the starting job and staying there would be a welcome development for Cleveland’s underwhelming passing attack. Even in a lost season, Jerry Jeudy ranked 7th with 144 targets. He only caught 90 of those looks (62.5 percent catch rate), but still produced 1,229 receiving yards. Jeudy is locked into the WR1 slot, while Cedric Tillman looks like a solid late-round sleeper target. Tillman had a monster three-game stretch before a concussion ended his season. With Amari Cooper gone, Tillman projects to be Cleveland’s WR2. Michael Woods, DeAndre Carter, Diontae Johnson, and David Bell will vie for WR 3 duties. With David Njoku, the Browns were already set at tight end. However, they added promising Bowling Green rookie Harold Fannin Jr. in the third round. Njoku ranked 6th with 13.1 fantasy points per game, and Fannin set an FBS record with 117 receptions in 2024 for 1,555 yards. Cleveland only used multiple tight ends on 16.4 percent of their snaps in 2024, which ranked 22nd. The addition of Fannin and the lack of wideout depth indicate that rate will climb significantly in 2025. Fantasy Grade: D QB Flacco, Joe, CLE [QB1] It looks like Deshaun Watson (Achilles) won’t play in 2025. As insurance, the Cleveland Browns re-signed Joe Flacco as the transitional starter. Flacco famously went ham for the Browns in 2023, throwing for 323 yards and 2.6 touchdowns per game in a five-game stint to end the season and lead the Browns to the playoffs. We can’t expect that kind of production in the reunion, but Flacco is a reliable veteran who will push the ball downfield. As a pure passer, Flacco is a significant upgrade from anyone else on the roster, and good news for Cleveland pass catchers. ADVICE: Could post surprisingly decent numbers as a streaming option. QB Pickett, Kenny, CLE [QB2] The Browns first signed Kenny Pickett as insurance in case Deshaun Watson misses the 2025 season. Cleveland also added veteran Joe Flacco and drafted Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. These additions will make it difficult for Pickett to make much of an impact this season. ADVICE: Only has modest Superflex appeal if he somehow wins Cleveland’s starting job. RB Judkins, Quinshon, CLE [RB1] Cleveland’s rushing attack struggled without Nick Chubb last season, ranking dead last in attempts (312) and 31st in yards (1,253). They also averaged just 4.0 yards per carry with a mere seven touchdowns. Browns’ backs caught 63 passes for 429 yards and one touchdown on 87 targets. Enter Quinshon Judkins from Ohio State, who scored 50 touchdowns in 42 games. Despite fewer carries in 2024 (194 versus 274 and 271 previously), he scored consistently and added 59 receptions for 442 yards and five touchdowns on 72 career targets. Judkins will replace Chubb in a Cleveland offense that wants to establish the run. UPDATE: Judkins is facing serious charges for an offseason domestic assault. We’re now recommending that fantasy managers fade the rookie. Only the Cleveland Browns. ADVICE: Great landing spot, but Judkins’s offseason arrest complicates his immediate and long-term future. RB Ford, Jerome, CLE [RB2] Jerome Ford went from backing up Nick Chubb to potentially playing behind two rookie rushers. Ford performed well as Cleveland’s top back last year, ranking top 10 in routes run (236), yards per touch (5.6), and explosive play rate (106.8). But with the Browns adding Quinshon Judkins in Round 2 and Dylan Sampson in Round 4, Ford won’t be able to match last year’s 54.1 percent snap share. Instead, Ford is more likely to be the change-of-pace and main passing down option, but with Judins’s availability now in doubt, he becomes a nice value target. ADVICE: Has some PPR value as a stash, or low-end flex option in deeper leagues. RB Sampson, Dylan, CLE [RB3] ADVICE: Tennessee’s all-time single-season TD record holder (22), Sampson has explosive acceleration. With Judkins now in doubt, Sampson has an outside shot at posting usable fantasy stats. He’s a strong late-round draft target. WR Jeudy, Jerry, CLE [WR1] No wide receiver ran more routes last year than Jerry Jeudy’s 700. Despite being hampered by a Cleveland offense that scored the fewest points in the league, Jeudy delivered WR16 overall numbers. His massive target load (144) and sheer volume of catches (90) were enough to overcome low touchdown production and eight drops. With Joe Flacco projected to open the season under center, Jeudy will remain heavily involved in Cleveland’s game plan. Jeudy was primarily targeted downfield in 2024, but his elite route-running should open up more underneath targets. That could lead to an increased
Nick Chubb 2025 Fantasy Value
Since being drafted in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Nick Chubb has been a popular target in fantasy football drafts. However, after his latest devastating injury, Chubb’s future is up in the air. FullTime Fantasy‘s Nick Chubb 2025 Fantasy Value looks back at his accomplishments and breaks down his potential role in 2025. Nick Chubb, the four-time Pro Bowl running back and Cleveland Browns icon, has long been celebrated as one of the NFL’s premier pure runners. Known for his explosive power, relentless work ethic, and quiet leadership, Chubb’s career has been a testament to both his athletic prowess and his ability to overcome adversity. However, the past two seasons have tested his resilience like never before, with devastating injuries threatening to derail his storied career. As Chubb enters free agency in 2025, his recent viral workouts, past accomplishments, health status, and potential landing spots have sparked widespread intrigue. A Storied Career Drafted in the second round (35th overall) by the Cleveland Browns in 2018 out of Georgia, Nick Chubb quickly established himself as a cornerstone of the franchise. Over seven seasons, he has amassed 6,843 rushing yards on 1,340 carries with 51 touchdowns, averaging an astonishing 5.1 yards per carry (YPC). His consistency is remarkable: until 2024, Chubb averaged at least 5.0 YPC every season, a feat that places him among the NFL’s elite. Key Career Highlights •Four Consecutive Pro Bowls (2019–2022): Chubb’s dominance as a runner earned him recognition as one of the league’s top running backs. •1,525 Rushing Yards in 2022: His career-high season showcased his ability to carry the Browns’ offense, finishing second in the NFL in rushing yards. •Breakaway Ability: In 2019, Chubb led the NFL with 17 Breakaway Runs and a 5.7% Breakaway Run Rate, highlighting his home-run threat on every touch. Chubb’s ability to gain tough yards, paired with his vision and burst, made him a fantasy football darling and a nightmare for opposing defenses. His 52 red zone touches in 2019 ranked fifth in the NFL, though his touchdown efficiency (eight TDs) suggested room for positive regression, which he later capitalized on. Despite sharing the backfield with Kareem Hunt for much of his career, Chubb’s role as the Browns’ lead back remained secure. His rush share and red zone opportunity share consistently ranked among the league’s best. However, injuries in 2023 and 2024 have shifted the narrative, raising questions about whether Chubb can reclaim his elite status. The Injury Saga: Health and Recovery Challenges Chubb’s career has been marred by two significant injuries to his left knee, which have shaped his current trajectory. 2015 College Injury While at Georgia, Chubb suffered a catastrophic knee injury, tearing his MCL, PCL, and LCL. Remarkably, he returned in 2016 to rush for 1,130 yards, though his YPC dropped to 5.0 from his career average of 6.8 at Georgia, hinting at a slight loss of explosiveness. This resilience set the stage for his NFL success, but also foreshadowed the fragility of his knee. 2023 NFL Knee Injury In Week 2 of the 2023 season against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Chubb suffered a gruesome knee injury, diagnosed as tears to his ACL, MCL, and meniscus. The injury required two surgeries and sidelined him for over a year. The severity of the injury, combined with it being the second major trauma to the same knee, led many to question whether Chubb could return to form. NFL Insider Ian Rapoport noted that the injury “would be career-ending for many lesser backs,” but Chubb’s “incredible athleticism” offered hope for recovery. 2024 Foot Fracture Chubb made a triumphant return in Week 7 of the 2024 season, playing in eight games and rushing for 332 yards and three touchdowns on 102 carries. However, his performance was lackluster, with a career-low 3.3 YPC, reflecting a loss of explosiveness. His season was cut short in Week 15 against the Kansas City Chiefs when he suffered a broken foot, which fortunately did not require surgery. Advanced Metrics Post-Injury Yards After Contact (YAC): In 2024, Chubb’s Yards After Contact per Attempt dropped to 2.1, down from a career average of 3.2, per Pro Football Focus (PFF). This suggests diminished power and ability to break tackles. Elusiveness Rating: PlayerProfiler’s Elusiveness Rating for Chubb in 2024 fell to the 30th percentile among running backs, a stark contrast to his pre-injury 80th percentile rankings. Breakaway Run Rate: His Breakaway Run Rate plummeted to 1.9% in 2024, compared to 5.7% in 2019, indicating a significant reduction in long-gain potential. These metrics paint a picture of a player who, while still functional, was a shadow of his former self in 2024. However, Chubb’s recent viral workouts suggest he’s far from finished. A Glimmer of Hope Throughout his recovery, Chubb has showcased his superhuman strength and determination through viral workout videos that have captivated fans and analysts alike. These displays of power have fueled optimism about his potential comeback in 2025. July 2024: 540–585-Pound Squats This is #Browns RB Nick Chubb squatting 540+ pounds—just 8 months after undergoing multiple significant knee surgeries. Insanity.pic.twitter.com/JlWnad2Wdm — Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) July 15, 2024 Eight months after his second knee surgery, Chubb was filmed squatting 540 pounds with ease, a video that garnered 417 votes and 100 comments on Reddit’s r/fantasyfootball. Just days later, FOX Sports reported him squatting 585 pounds, an astonishing feat for a 227-pound running back recovering from major knee surgery. These lifts demonstrated that Chubb’s lower-body strength remained intact, a critical factor for a power runner. April 2025: 500+ Pounds and Power-Cleaning 405 Mannn, Nick Chubb power-cleaning 405 after knee injuries & a broken foot just ain’t human pic.twitter.com/qGvxIoNHf7 — Jon Tweets Sports (@jontweetssports) April 29, 2025 In April 2025, Chubb posted an Instagram video squatting over 500 pounds, accompanied by the caption, “They’ve already wrote my ending when I’m just getting started.” The NFL’s official X account amplified the video, noting its jaw-dropping nature. Implications of the Workouts While squatting massive weights is impressive, it doesn’t directly translate
Thursday Night Football Preview: Week 12
Thursday Night Football Preview: Week 12 After a pair of high-profile games with plenty of fantasy production, Week 12 reels it back in with an AFC North slugfest. The division-leading Pittsburgh Steelers come off a victory over the Ravens and
After a pair of high-profile games with plenty of fantasy production, Week 12 reels it back in with an AFC North slugfest. The division-leading Pittsburgh Steelers come off a victory over the Ravens and travel to Cleveland to take on the last-place Browns. FullTime Fantasy‘s Thursday Night Football Preview: Week 12 covers all fantasy-relevant for the game.
Mike Tomlin is doing another masterful job in Pittsburgh. The Steelers have won five straight to take a game-and-a-half lead in the AFC North.
Meanwhile, the Browns have improved but lost six of their last seven. Changes could be coming to Cleveland. However, Kevin Stefanski’s team will be ready to pull off the upset.
The Steelers enter this game as 3.5-point favorites and the total has plummeted from 42.5 down to 36.5. That sounds like a November AFC North battle.
Matchup
| TEAM | OFFENSE | PASS | RUSH | YDS/PLAY | POINTS |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 19 | 28 | 9 | 22 | 18 |
| Cleveland Browns | 27 | 23 | 30 | 32 | 31 |
You can pinpoint Cleveland’s struggles down to an offense that has had little success. The Browns rank last in yards per play and next to last in scoring. However, most of that is due to having Deshaun Watson under center. Cleveland failed to score 20 points in any game started by Watson. Cleveland has also scored the second-fewest points.
Cleveland’s offense has looked far more credible with Jameis Winston as the quarterback. However, that once-vaunted Browns’ defense has fallen off. The Browns’ stop unit ranks 21st overall and 31st in sack rate.
Like the Browns, Pittsburgh’s offense has improved with a new signal-caller. However, this is a classic Steelers team that wins with defense and a top-10 rushing attack.
And unlike Cleveland, Tomlin’s stop unit remains elite. Pittsburgh boasts the NFL’s No. 2 overall defense. The Steelers are especially stingy against the rush, forcing Winston and company to air it out and risk turnovers.
Pittsburgh Offense
How will Thursday’s Steelers vs. Browns game go?
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2024 Cleveland Browns Fantasy Preview
2024 Cleveland Browns Fantasy Preview Facing adversity is nothing new for Cleveland football fans. The Browns were decimated by injuries in 2023 but Kevin Stefanski did a remarkable job rallying the squad to an unlikely playoff berth and earned NFL
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2024 Fantasy Football Team Outlooks
Welcome to our 2020 Fantasy Football Team Outlook series. Check out our statistical and in-depth analysis for EVERY player on EVERY NFL roster!
Saturday Playoff Preview
The opening round of the 2023 NFL playoffs are all set. The FullTime Fantasy Saturday Playoff Preview looks at both the Browns vs. Texans and Dolphins vs. Chiefs games from a fantasy and sports betting perspective. Using our RDA* projections, we can break down each game to find the statistical edge that can give us a leg up in playoff fantasy and daily fantasy lineups. Also, we can determine the best bets to make. Before you place those winning bets, our partner Edge Boost can help you double your entries and payouts! Click below to increase your winnings today. Cleveland Browns (11-6) at Houston Texans (10-7) Time: 4:30 Eastern Line: Cleveland -2.5 Total: 44.5 Money Line: Browns -145, Texans +125 Cleveland Offense Back in Week, the Browns went into NRG Stadium and throttled the Texans 36-22. The game wasn’t even that close as Houston piled on 15 garbage-time points. In that game, Joe Flacco completed 27-of-42 for 368 yards and three scores. Flacco’s 22.8 fantasy points in that game were the second-most allowed by a much-improved Houston defense all season. In the rematch, Houston’s pass rush will be healthier. Additionally, the Texans will have more success moving the ball than they did with Davis Mills under center. Also, Flacco’s penchant for turnovers could make the difference in a close game. View Flacco as a solid start this week. However, the floor makes him a riskier play than the other three signal-callers suiting up Saturday. Houston’s run defense also made big strides in 2023. Jerome Ford was held to 25 yards on 15 totes in Week 16. Ford salvaged his day with a touchdown but was otherwise ineffective. Our RDA* projections call for Ford to get 16 touches, generate about 65 yards of offense, and is about a 50/50 bet to find the end zone. Kareem Hunt (groin) returned to practice Wednesday. Hunt won’t see as many touches as Ford in this game. However, Hunt is the preferred option in short-yardage. This week, he’ll be a TD-or-Bust option. That gives him some DFS appeal. Amari Cooper set a franchise record with 265 yards three weeks ago versus the Texans. However, Houston played without Will Anderson and Jonathan Greenard in that game, which led to no pass rush. Cooper won’t have a repeat of his gaudy Week 16 figures, but he still comes in as a top-5 fantasy wideout per our RDA* projections. Elijah Moore didn’t do much in the previous game and is still questionable with a concussion. Cedric Tillman has also been ruled out, leaving David Bell as an interesting flier. The Texans allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to tight ends in 2023. David Njoku caught six passes including a TD in the previous matchup. He’s our No. 2 tight end for the slate. Houston Offense It’s best to ignore the previous game from the Texans’ perspective. At least on offense. Houston didn’t accomplish much with Davis Mills and Case Keenum under center. However, with the return of C.J. Stroud, the Texans’ offense should be far more effective. After missing two games with a head injury, Stroud returned in the season finale to post solid, but unspectacular numbers. Stroud has been one of the best QBs in football at home. However, facing the NFL’s No. 1 defense will be problematic. If Stroud can continue his stellar play at NRG, the Texans have a good shot. Devin Singletary has taken over as the club’s feature back. Cleveland is far better against the pass than run, so expect Houston to make Singletary a big part of the game plan. Our RDA* projections have Singletary approaching 80 scrimmage yards. However, he is less likely to find to hit pay dirt. Cleveland ranked 4th in the league in limiting fantasy points to opposing wideouts. Nico Collins is Houston’s undisputed top wide receiver. But the Browns limited Collins to 18 yards on four receptions. Collins did score in that game to somewhat salvage his day. But our RDA* projections predict another modest outing. Robert Woods will return in this game and is likely to be Houston’s No. 3 with Noah Brown returning to practice Thursday. This is a tough matchup for Houston, even if the Texans have played much better at home. That makes all of their ancillary pass-catchers little more than DFS dart throws. Brown has more boom potential. Tight end Dalton Schultz should fill the void as Houston’s top target. Back in Week 16, Schultz reeled in a team-high eight grabs for 61 yards. However, the matchup is worse for tight ends. Cleveland allowed only 9.7 fantasy points per game to the position- second-lowest in the NFL. As much as Cleveland feels like the better team, eventually, the magic will run out, right? I’m on the home dogs. Houston +2.5 WIN Miami Dolphins (11-6) at Kansas City Chiefs (11-6) Time: 8:00 PM Eastern Line: Kansas City -4.5 Total: 51.5 Money Line: Dolphins +190, Chiefs -225 Miami Offense For most of the season, this would have looked like a premier matchup with unlimited offensive potential. However, the Chiefs and Dolphins stumbled to the finish line to damper the fantasy appeal. The opening line of 51.5 seems high for two teams that have not played well. Also, weather will be a factor. The forecast calls for a high of 7 degrees with game-time temps hovering around 0. Brrrr. That will pose problems for Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins. In his last five road games, Tagovailoa averaged just 233.8 passing yards per game with seven touchdown passes. Meanwhile, facing Kansas City boasts a top-10 defense that surrendered the third-fewest touchdown passes in 2023. Kansas City was also stout against the run. However, the Dolphins boasted the NFL’s No. 6 rushing attack. Raheem Mostert will return after sitting out the last two regular-season games. Mostert led the NFL in rushing scores, including seven rushing TDs in seven road contests. De’Von Achane will also be heavily involved. Achane boasts enormous upside but has slowed down after eclipsing 100 rushing yards in three of
Thursday Night Football Preview: Week 17
Thursday Night Football Preview: Week 17 The highlight of the final Thursday game of the 2023 fantasy season is that the game gets to kick off championship week. While last week’s Saints vs. Rams tilt hit the over, FullTime Fantasy‘s
The highlight of the final Thursday game of the 2023 fantasy season is that the game gets to kick off championship week. While last week’s Saints vs. Rams tilt hit the over, FullTime Fantasy‘s Thursday Night Football Preview: Week 17 features the Browns hosting the NFL’s most futile offense in the lowly New York Jets.
16th-year pro Joe Flacco has been a revelation for the Browns. Cleveland has started four different signal-callers this season. However, the Browns are in contention for the AFC’s top seed with a nifty 10-5 record.
Meanwhile, the Jets have also had to play the quarterback carousel. But Robert Saleh has not enjoyed anywhere near as much success. At least not on offense. Saleh’s defense ranks third in the NFL.
Saleh does keep his club ready to compete and they will undoubtedly be ready to play spoiler.
New York opened as 6.5-point underdogs and the total was a ghastly 35 points.
Matchup
| TEAM | OFFENSE | PASS | RUSH | YDS/PLAY | POINTS |
| New York Jets | 32 | 31 | 28 | 30 | 30 |
| Cleveland Browns | 13 | 20 | 11 | 28 | 10 |
New York’s season effectively ended after four snaps. After losing Aaron Rodgers, the Jets have struggled to mount any kind of credible offense. Zach Wilson fared about as well as expected before losing – and regaining- the starting job. Tim Boyle and Trevor Siemian have also contributed to the futility.
Siemian will make his second start this week and faces a tough task. Cleveland boasts the NFL’s No. 1 defense. The Browns lead the league in passing defense, interception rate, third-down efficiency, and fewest yards per play.
Meanwhile, Flacco has resurrected a stagnant offense. Cleveland has averaged 29 points per game in Flacco’s three starts. However, the Jets have the No. 2 pass defense and won’t allow the big plays that the Browns produced in Houston.
Points will be at a premium in this one. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean this game is a fantasy football fade.
New York Offense
How will Thursday’s Jets vs. Browns game go?
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NFL Week 1 Bengals at Browns: DFS & Fantasy Preview
NFL Week 1 Bengals at Browns: DFS & Fantasy Preview Betting Line: Bengals – 2 Over/Under: 47.5 The Bengals have an elite quarterback (Joe Burrow) supported by two high-ceiling wideouts (Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins). Their quest heading into 2023
Betting Line: Bengals – 2
Over/Under: 47.5
The Bengals have an elite quarterback (Joe Burrow) supported by two high-ceiling wideouts (Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins). Their quest heading into 2023 is a return to the Super Bowl while bringing home a championship to their fans. In the offseason, Cincinnati tried to upgrade their tight end position (Irv Smith). To continue their rise in the AFC, their defense must stop offenses in the most critical part of the game – the fourth quarter.
It’s showtime for Deshaun Watson after the Browns paid him $230 million in 2022. Cleveland has a stud running back with Nick Chubb, with improving depth and upside at wide receiver – Amari Cooper, Elijah Moore, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Cedric Tillman, and David Bell. In addition, the Browns have a developing tight end (David Njoku).
Note: The fantasy points per $1,000 are based on the early projections for Week 1.
The above grid shows the top players excepted to contribute in Week 1 in the fantasy games. I listed each player’s salary at DraftKings and FanDuel, plus their fantasy points expected per $1,000 of salary invested. In GPP (grand prize pools) events, the goal is to find players with a chance to score four times their salary at DraftKings ($50,000 salary cap and three times at FanDuel ($60,000 salary cap).
Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow
- Last year, Burrow scored more than 30.00 fantasy points in four of his first 12 starts (35.50, 44.05, 32.25, and 32.90). The Browns kept him in check (17.80 and 19.95 fantasy points) in his two matchups.
- In his rookie season, he posted two stellar games (335/3 and 440/4) against Cleveland.
- The Browns had the best quarterback fantasy defense (15.00 FPPG) in 2022, one notch above Cincinnati’s pass defense.
- The key for Burrow in this matchup is a longer pass window.
- His calf issue appears to be healed, but the fantasy market needs to see him in game action before trusting that Burrow is on top of his game.
- His matchup suggests fading him, but Cinci had too many receiving weapons to avoid Burrow. In addition, the Browns should score in this matchup.
- He needs at least 300 yards with three touchdowns to be in the mix in the daily games in Week 1.
Joe Mixon
- Mixon’s ticket came in only once last season (Week 6 – 55.10 fantasy points), helping me win $250,000 at DraftKings. He scored between 17.00 and 21.50 fantasy points) in six matchups, none of which would support his current salary.
- The Bengals will rotate in a second running back, but Mixon may have a more significant role out of the gate.
- Burrow will use his running backs in the passing game close to the goal line – 103/796/7 on 132 targets. Their backs had the third most catches (103) in the league in 2022.
- Three times his salary seems reasonable, leaving some upside if Mixon hits on a second touchdown or a bunch of receptions.
- Viable rotational running back upside in Week 1.
Ja’Marr Chase
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2023 Fantasy Football Team Outlooks
Welcome to our 2020 Fantasy Football Team Outlook series. Check out our statistical and in-depth analysis for EVERY player on EVERY NFL roster!
2023 Cleveland Browns Outlook
2023 Cleveland Browns Outlook The 2023 NFL season is right around the corner and that means fantasy football drafts are underway. Before you assemble your championship dynasty, redraft, or high-stakes squad, FullTime Fantasy members will have an in-depth, player-by-player preview
2023 Cleveland Browns Outlook
The 2023 NFL season is right around the corner and that means fantasy football drafts are underway. Before you assemble your championship dynasty, redraft, or high-stakes squad, FullTime Fantasy members will have an in-depth, player-by-player preview of all 32 teams from football legend Shawn Childs.
Also, check out Jody Smith’s NFL offensive line rankings and exclusive 2023 Strength of Schedule analysis.
Up next in our extensive NFL and fantasy football preview series is Shawn’s deep dive into the 2023 Cleveland Browns Outlook.
— Quarterback —
Deshaun Watson
Over his final three seasons with the Texans, Watson went 25-22 with two winning years (11-5 and 10-5). His completion rate (68.7) and yards per pass attempt (8.3) were exceptional, but he ranked below the league average in pass attempts per game (32.9). Watson had his best fantasy season in 2020 (led the NFL in passing yards – 4,823) while delivering 36 combined touchdowns. He was active in the run game from 2018 to 2020 (99/551/5, 82/413/7, and 90/44/3). His most significant obstacle to success came via sacks (62, 44, and 49) during this span.
The Browns ranked poorly in passing attempts (539 – 19th, 501 – 28th, 520 – 28th, and 540 – 21st) and passing yards (3,847 – 22nd, 3,701 – 27th, 3,619 – 27th, and 3710 – 23rd) over the past four seasons.
Watson wasn’t worth the investment by Cleveland last season, putting their coaching staff on the hit seat in 2023 if they don’t make the playoffs. He had 31 or fewer passes in five of his starts, leading to fewer than 170 yards passing in four games and only two matchups with more than one score. Watson held form in the run game (36/175/1) but had weakness in his completion rate (58.2 – 67.8 over his previous 1,748 pass attempts) and yards per pass attempt (6.5 – 8.3 before 2022).
Fantasy Outlook: Cleveland upgraded their wide receiving corps in the offseason by trading for Elijah Moore and drafting Cedric Tillman. Amari Cooper (78/1,160/9), Donovan Peoples-Jones (61/839/3), and David Njoku (58/628/4) played well in 2022, giving Watson plenty of firepower to move the ball. His career path suggests that 4,500 combined yards and 30 touchdowns are a reasonable floor. If Tillman and Moore play well, Watson should beat his early draft ranking at quarterback (9th).
Dorian Thompson-Robinson
Over his 49 games in college, Thompson-Robinson passed for 10,695 yards with 88 touchdowns and 36 interceptions. He helped his value with his production (471/1,828/28) on the ground. His completion rate (69.6) moved to an elite area in his senior year at USC. Thompson-Robinson scored 39 times in 2022 with a combined 3,801 yards over 13 starts.
Other Options: Joshua Dobbs, Kellen Mond
— Running Backs —
Other than rushing attempts (450), the Browns’ running backs regressed in rushing yards (2,104), yards per rush (4.7), touchdowns (18), catches (67), receiving yards (464), and targets (88) from 2021. Their backs gained a combined 2,568 yards, leading to 25.4 FPPG in PPR formats. Cleveland should run the ball well over 500 times this year, but Deshaun Watson will steal touchdowns and many carries.
Nick Chubb
Over five seasons with the Browns, Chubb has been a phenomenal running back based on his yards per rush (5.2, 5.0, 5.6, 5.5, and 5.0). He was a workhorse back in 2019 (334 touches), leading to 1,772 combined yards with eight touchdowns and 36 catches.
Chubb missed seven games in 2020 and 2021 while also losing touches to a second rotational back. He averaged 17.7 touches in 2021 (17.2 in 2020) while ranking him 13th in running back scoring (216.30) in PPR formats. Surprisingly, Chubb was a much better player on the road (810 combined yards with six touchdowns and 11 catches over seven games). He gained more than 100 yards rushing in five matchups (once at home).
Last season, Chubb posted the best year of his career (282.40 fantasy points – 6th), leading to new tops in rush attempts (302), rushing yards (1,525), and touchdowns (13). He gained more than 100 combined yards in 11 games, with seven of those outcomes coming over the first eight games. His season ended with no rushing scores over six consecutive matchups when Deshaun Watson took over at quarterback. Cleveland gave him less than half of their running back pass-catching opportunity (27/239/1).
Fantasy Outlook: With Kareem Hunt off the roster, Chubb looks poised to push his stats higher. His ceiling will remain limited in the passing game, and Deshaun Watson will snip some rushing scores. On the positive side, a better quarterback should lead to more offense by the Browns. Let’s shoot for 350 touches for 1,850 yards with 14 scores and 30 catches. Chubb is the seventh-ranked running back selected in the early draft season in the high-stakes market.
Jerome Ford
Cleveland added Ford in the fifth round in 2021 after having his best season (215/1,319 with 21 catches for 220 yards and one score) in college. He had a limited opportunity over his first three years (696 combined yards with 11 touchdowns and ten catches).
His speed is better than the league average at the running back position. Ford runs with an upright style with the ability to sidestep defenders and break tackles. He will take what the defense will give him while having the gear to finish long runs with scores if given a lane. With more experience, Ford will develop into a better runner.
Fantasy Outlook: The backup running back position is up for grabs in 2023. Ford is the front-runner to take over the Kareem Hunt role in the Browns’ offense…
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT OUT OF THE BROWNS IN 2023?
To finish reading Shawn’s in-depth 2023 team outlook, with in-depth offseason reports, projections, and fantasy outlooks for all players
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