Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns running back Nyheim Hines (knee) is still recovering from the torn ACL he suffered during a jet ski accident last summer, but the team believes he could compete to be their third-down back and primary kick returner if healthy, according to Zac Jackson of The Athletic. Specifically, Jackson notes that Hines could compete with Jerome Ford and D'Onta Foreman for the backup role if Nick Chubb (knee) is cleared for Week 1, but that would put Chubb well ahead of schedule. If Chubb needs more time to recover, Ford would likely handle early downs while Hines rotates in on third down. Hines specialized as both a returner and pass-catcher during his first four years in the league with the Indianapolis Colts, ultimately catching 103 passes for 792 yards and four touchdowns between 2020 and 2021. He played more of a special teams role after being traded to the Buffalo Bills in 2022 but did still show an ability to catch passes. Despite this new optimism about Hines' recovery and role for the upcoming season, he's still not a very intriguing name in fantasy football leagues. His ceiling is the backup role with pass-catching upside, but his floor is likely No. 4 on the depth chart (and a heavy dose of special teams snaps) once Chubb returns. This uncertainty keeps him off the fantasy radar in most redraft leagues, where he currently sports an ADP of 526 (134th among running backs).

Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford enters 2024 with a chance to sit atop the depth chart, but his exact role will depend on the status of Nick Chubb (knee) and Nyheim Hines (knee), according to Zac Jackson of The Athletic. Both injured running backs are recovering from ACL tears, with Chubb working his way back from a gruesome knee injury sustained during a carry near the goal line last season and Hines dealing with the effects of a terrible jet ski accident last summer. Jackson notes that Ford could open the year as the Browns' No. 1 running back if he has a strong training camp and Chubb isn't cleared by Week 1; as of now, a Week 1 return would seem unlikely for Chubb, who also tore his MCL and meniscus on the same play. On the other hand, if Chubb progresses faster than expected, Ford could find himself competing for the backup role with the likes of Hines and D'Onta Foreman. This lack of clarity poses a challenge for fantasy managers trying to finalize their draft strategy. However, given the severity of Chubb's injury, it seems unlikely that he'll play in the season opener, and even if he does, he'll probably have a reduced role. Therefore, Ford should have enough early-season volume to make him a solid RB3/FLEX option for the first few weeks of the campaign (and perhaps even after Chubb returns). His ADP of 115 gives him a 10th-round price tag and slots him in as the 38th running back off the board in redraft leagues.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney was seen working as a running back during portions of the team's first training camp practice over the weekend. Toney had a disastrous 2023 season with the Chiefs, so perhaps the coaching staff is looking for creative ways to get the speedy wideout more involved this year. During wideout drills, Toney was present for 7-on-7 reps, alternating with the first-string offense and the third-string unit. Head coach Andy Reid didn't really give any clues to how the Chiefs might be using Toney differently this year. Not only does the former first-rounder need to show more in camp and the preseason this year in order to secure a roster spot, but he needs to stay healthy. The 25-year-old is currently on the outside looking in and is off the fantasy radar in single-year leagues.

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (knee) is expected to be placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list to begin training camp. It's worth noting that Browns' general manager Andrew Berry said Chubb is progressing well from his torn ACL. The Browns are able to activate Chubb at any point, but it sounds like there is still more work to be done. At the moment, it is uncertain if Chubb will be available by Week 1. If he misses time, Jerome Ford is likely to become the workhorse back in Cleveland. Fantasy managers should have Ford on their radar with Chubb still rehabbing his knee.

At his second annual 7-on-7 high-school showcase through his foundation, Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) didn't say whether he expects to be fully cleared for the start of training camp next week, but he did say that there have been no setbacks in his shoulder rehab. "I'm great," Watson said. The 28-year-old played in only six games in 2023 for the second straight year due to a right-shoulder injury that required season-ending surgery. The good news is that he was throwing during minicamp this offseason and is expected to be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener, barring a setback this summer. Watson has QB1 potential when healthy, but he missed all of 2021 due to a suspension and has played in only 12 games the last two years due to injury, which makes him a risk/reward QB2 in fantasy in 2024 in what could be a make-or-break season.