Cleveland Browns DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Cleveland Browns tight end Jordan Akins will step in as the team's starter after David Njoku (knee) was ruled out of Week 17's game against the Miami Dolphins. Akins draws a plus matchup against a Miami defense that is allowing the 14th-most fantasy points per game to tight ends in 2024. While Akins should play a full complement of snaps, he will be tough to trust in a Dorian Thompson-Robinson-led passing attack. Akins sets up as a TE3 who should only be started out of desperation in fantasy heading into Week 17.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Elijah Moore has been struggling to produce over his past two games, combining to catch just four passes for 20 yards over that span. He will look to bounce back at home against the Miami Dolphins in Week 17. The Dolphins represent a tough matchup for Moore as they are allowing the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers this season. Cleveland's decision to bench Jameis Winston for Dorian Thompson-Robinson ahead of Week 16 has negatively affected the entire passing attack, making Moore impossible to trust in fantasy championships this weekend.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (knee/shin) is coming off a slow two-catch, 20-yard outing in a Week 16 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. After being limited in practice throughout the week, Jeudy is listed without an injury designation and will look to bounce back at home against the Miami Dolphins in Week 17. The Dolphins have been tough on wide receivers this season, allowing the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game to the position thus far. Jeudy's slow performance in Week 16 coincided with the Browns giving Dorian Thompson-Robinson the start, a move that severely limits the entire team's passing ceiling. One glimmer of hope for Jeudy is that the Browns will be without Thompson-Robinson's favorite target, David Njoku (knee), who was ruled out on Friday. Jeudy sets up as a high-end WR4 option heading into Week 17 against Miami.

Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford has shown a penchant for big plays of late, ripping off a 62 and a 66-yard run over his past two games. He will look to stay hot at home against the Miami Dolphins in Week 17. The Dolphins have been solid against fantasy running backs this season, allowing just the 20th-most fantasy points per game to the position. That being said, Ford has shown himself to be dangerous in the passing game and the Browns should skew run-heavy with Dorian Thompson-Robinson slated to make the start. Treat Ford as a mid-range RB2 heading into Week 17 against Miami.

According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Cleveland Browns and quarterback Deshaun Watson have agreed to restructure his contract. As a result, this will provide the Browns more relief on their cap space over the remaining years of the deal. However, this move also suggests Watson will remain on the Browns next season. Since making his Browns debut in 2022, Watson has seen his production decline significantly compared to the start of his NFL career when he was a Houston Texan. Across 19 games, Watson has held a 19:12 TD:INT ratio and has lost five fumbles. This season, Watson made seven starts before suffering a season-ending Achilles injury. Across this stint, Watson averaged just 164.0 passing yards per game. If Watson enters the 2025 campaign as the QB1, he should remain a target in deeper Superflex leagues but not in 1QB formats.