2024 Cleveland Browns Team Outlook
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 Coach of the Year honors. Expectations are higher, but there are concerns remain.
First and foremost is under center. The Browns are financially committed to Deshaun Watson even after consecutive underwhelming 6-game campaigns. Last season, Watson ranked 27th in fantasy points per game. He topped 240 passing yards only once all season before it ended prematurely with a shoulder injury.
Although the Browns went 5-1 in Watson's six starts, the offense was far more credible with Joe Flacco. We know Watson will start and can run fairly well, but he is a risky fantasy proposition.
Speaking of risk, Nick Chubb suffered a devastating knee injury in Week 2. This was the second major knee injury for Chubb, 28, and his availability is still a question. "He's attacking his rehab. That's the best way I can put it. When he's ready, he'll be ready," Stefanski said prior to the 2024 NFL Draft. A healthy Chubb is a locked-in RB1, but his health is far from certain.
Jerome Ford posted RB20 numbers in relief of Chubb. Ford played well enough to carve out a role in Cleveland's offense. He's a name to keep in mind as a late-round flier.
Cleveland's reinforced receiving corps provides some optimism that Watson can rebound. Amari Cooper averaged 5.6 grabs, 96 receiving yards, and 0.4 touchdowns in Watson's five full games. That's a pace of 95/1,581/7.
The Browns added Jerry Jeudy for a pair of Day Three picks. Jeudy signed a three-year extension, cementing his role as the club's No. 2. Jeudy ran 59% of his snaps in Denver from the slot. Meanwhile, Elijah Moore had a 44% slot rate in Cleveland.
Cleveland also added Lousiville WR Jamari Thrash in the fourth round. Thrash excels at yards after contact but is buried on the depth chart. Cooper and Jeudy are the only viable fantasy options in a Stefanski offense that has ranked 24th, 27th, 22nd, and 19th in passing during his tenure.
TE David Njoku set career-high marks in targets (123), receptions (81), yards (882), and touchdowns (6). Watson has a long history of featuring his tight ends often, which bodes well for Njoku's chances of producing top-10 fantasy numbers again.
There is a lot of uncertainty in Cleveland and the Browns play a tough schedule. If Deshaun Watson can rekindle some of the magic he had in Houston, the Browns could boast impact fantasy options at each position. But fantasy football fans know to approach this roster with caution.
QB Deshaun Watson, CLE - Quality Backup
As if there weren't enough reasons to root against Deshaun Watson, he's now posted his two poorest performances since being acquired by the Browns. It has been three full years since Watson was a fantasy QB1. Last season, he averaged a career-low in fantasy points per contest and had one outing with more than 235 passing yards. A shoulder injury can explain last year's struggles but Watson's two Cleveland campaigns have been eerily similar. The Browns bolstered the supporting cast and should rely on the pass more after Nick Chubb's injury. However, Watson has a lot to prove before he can be viewed as anything more than a lot of risk with little reward. ADVICE: Unreliable QB2
RB Nick Chubb, HOU - Gamble (high risk)
A devastating knee injury derailed Chubb's 2023 season after 28 carries. This is the second time that Chubb has torn the MCL and ACL in his left knee. He recovered well from the original injury in 2015 and is rehabbing well but the Browns have been hush on Chubb's potential return timeline. When healthy, Chubb is one of the most productive backs in the league, ranking second in NFL history with a career 5.3 yards per carry figure. For 2024, optimists have the opportunity to buy the dip with Chubb. Others will avoid a soon-to-be 29-year-old veteran coming off a massive knee injury and losing snaps to Jerome Ford. ADVICE: Risk/reward RB3 with RB1 upside UPDATE: Chubb will open the 2024 season on the PUP list, meaning he will miss at least the first four games of the season. We've downgraded Chubb's projections quite significantly.
RB Jerome Ford, CLE - Fantasy Handcuff
Ford filled in admirably for Nick Chubb, posting RB16 overall numbers. Chubb suffered a complex knee injury, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see Ford retain a significant role even if Chubb is cleared for Week 1. Ford ranked second among all running backs with five TD grabs. We can't count on that again, but Cleveland ranked 12th in rushing and 10th in scoring last season. He'll get enough opportunities to be a decent mid-round depth target. And if Chubb has any setbacks, Ford will be in a position to contend for RB2/3 numbers. ADVICE: Middle-round target with decent value appeal, especially as receiver UPDATE: Ford is now a screming value with Chubb set to miss at least four games.
RB D'Onta Foreman, --- - Low Potential
ADVICE: View Foreman as insurance for Nick Chubb. If Chubb is healthy, Foreman won't see many touches behind Chubb or Jerome Ford.
WR Jerry Jeudy, CLE - Quality Backup
Steve Smith opined that Jerry Jeudy was "just a guy, a Tier-3 wide receiver." The Broncos and most fantasy managers agreed. Jeudy was shipped to Cleveland, where he'll try to revitalize his career in an offense that ranked 19th in passing. Jeudy's production slipped last year, so the change of address is probably welcome. Jeudy can still create space and was 25th with a 12.7 ADOT in 2023. But he only scored two touchdowns and ranked 61st in fantasy points per route run. Look for the Browns to use Jeudy primarily out of the slot as Deshaun Watson's No. 2 wideout. ADVICE: Will have a hard time eclipsing WR4 status unless he can build a red-zone rapport with Deshaun Watson
