Team Profile
Cleveland Browns
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-31.7% 32ndOff DVOA
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-30.1% 32ndPassing DVOA
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-17.6% 29thRushing DVOA
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4% 25thDef DVOA
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16.7% 28thDef Passing DVOA
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-10.6% 15thDef Rushing DVOA
2024 Team Stats
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Points For15.2 32nd
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Points Against25.6 25th
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Yards Per Game301.0 28th
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Yards Allowed Per Game342.0 17th
An Instagram post on Monday morning showed Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (knee) doing two squat reps with what appears to be a total of 12 45-pound plates on a Tsunami Max bar. It's especially impressive, considering Chubb suffered a season-ending knee injury in the Week 2 game against the Steelers on Sept. 18 of last year that required two surgeries -- one to fix damage to his MCL, the medial capsule and meniscus, and the second to fix his ACL. The four-time pro Bowler suffered a similar injury, except for the torn ACL, in the same knee at Georgia in 205. Chubb isn't putting a timetable on his return but also didn't dismiss the possibility of being ready for Week 1 against Dallas this fall. He started running in April but didn't do any on-field work during OTAs or minicamp. The 28-year-old is likely to be eased in this year, which makes him more of a risky RB3 in fantasy than a surefire RB1.
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy received a three-year, $52.5 million extension from the Browns less than a week after being acquired from the Denver Broncos in a trade this offseason. Jeudy didn't participate in the on-field portion of minicamp due to an undisclosed injury. He may not have been taking on-field reps during offseason practices, but he was at the facilities and has been seen as the receiver who could benefit the most from choice routes in offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey's scheme. Receivers coach Chad O'Shea said Jeudy has "made so much progress learning the offense" despite not getting on the field yet. The former first-rounder was a bust in his four years with Denver and will be the clear No. 2 behind Amari Cooper in Cleveland. He should see plenty of time in the slot and has a chance to bounce back with the Browns, but he's currently being drafted as more of a WR5/6 in fantasy.
Toward the end of organized team activities this offseason, New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye overtook Bailey Zappe as the team's No. 2 QB behind veteran Jacoby Brissett. Nothing about that comes off as surprising, but with sixth-rounder Joe Milton III also in the fold in New England, is seems that Zappe's days with the team could be close to over. To earn the No. 3 job this year, Zappe would have to drastically outplay Milton, which didn't happen during spring workouts. The Patriots also have Nathan Rourke competing for a roster spot this summer. The most likely scenario at this point is that the 25-year-old Zappe is traded away to a team with more of a need for quarterback depth once training camp and the preseason begin.
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Elijah Moore showed flashes of upside in his 2021 rookie season, but over the last two years, he has failed to make a significant impact. In his last 33 games with the Jets and Browns, he's hauled in 96 receptions for 1,086 yards and three touchdowns. Amari Cooper and Jerry Jeudy are likely locked into the WR1 and WR2 roles for quarterback Deshaun Watson, and Zac Jackson of the Athletic suggested Cedric Tillman will occupy the WR3 role. "It's my belief that the Browns plan to open the season with Jeudy in the slot and Cooper and Cedric Tillman out wide," Jackson wrote. "Jeudy can play outside, too, and Elijah Moore will also see snaps inside and outside." Moore is going well ahead of Tillman in 2024 fantasy drafts, and that might be a mistake based on offseason reports. Moore was once a potential top-24 dynasty wide receiver, but he is now trending toward fantasy irrelevance.
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman had a quiet rookie campaign after being selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Tennessee. He ran just 343 routes (74th) and hauled in 21 of his 44 targets for 244 yards and no touchdowns. However, Zac Jackson of the Athletic suggests he will get more opportunities in Year 2, despite the additions of Jerry Jeudy and rookie Jamari Thrash. "It's my belief that the Browns plan to open the season with Jeudy in the slot and [Amari] Cooper and Cedric Tillman out wide. Jeudy can play outside, too, and Elijah Moore will also see snaps inside and outside." Although Tillman could have limited upside if Deshaun Watson fails to bounce back to form from his time with the Houston Texans, this is an encouraging report for dynasty managers holding onto him. Tillman is usually available well into the late 200s in fantasy drafts, so he could be an underpriced sleeper candidate.