Cleveland Browns DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

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.

With Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (back, foot) in real danger of missing Sunday's matchup versus the Giants after missing practice all week, the team will turn back to Joe Flacco if the 22-year-old is ultimately ruled out. Flacco came on for an injured Richardson in Week 4 and made four additional starts for the team this season, completing 67% of his passes (113-for-170) with a 9:5 TD:INT during his time under center. Compared to Richardson's 48% completion rate and 8:12 TD:INT, the 39-year-old should provide a slight boost to the receiving corps, although the veteran does not pose a threat with his legs like A-Rich does. As such, that should also free up some goal-line work for Jonathan Taylor who broke out last week for 218 yards rushing and three scores. The Colts are eight-point favorites in this matchup and need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, while the Giants currently hold the No. 1 pick in the next draft and are probably better off losing. So look for Indy to try to limit mistakes and kill the clock by handing the ball off to Taylor, leaving Flacco as a low-end QB2 in Week 17 should he draw the start.

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.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman (concussion) has been ruled out ahead of the Week 17 matchup against the Miami Dolphins. Tillman was able to get through some limited practice sessions this week, but it wasn't enough to clear him for this weekend. Now, Tillman will miss his fifth game in a row due to a concussion. The absence of Tillman should mean that Michael Woods II should start alongside Elijah Moore and Jerry Jeudy. Woods was held without a catch last week and he hasn't done much with his other starts. Fantasy managers can look elsewhere for help ahead of this Week 17 contest.

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (knee) has been ruled out ahead of the Week 17 matchup against the Miami Dolphins. This doesn't come as a shock given the fact Njoku has been unable to practice all week. He tweaked his knee last week and appears to still be dealing with the issue. The Browns aren't in the playoff hunt anyway, so they don't have much of an incentive to get Njoku out there. Jordan Akins figures to serve as the primary tight end with Njoku sidelined. Akins has finished with one reception or less in three of his last four games. He's not a recommended streaming option for important fantasy playoff games this weekend.