Cleveland Browns DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

The Cleveland Browns signed free-agent wide receiver and return specialist DeAndre Carter (hamstring) to a one-year deal for nearly $800,000 guaranteed on Wednesday, sources told FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz. Carter will head to the AFC North in 2025 after spending the 2024 campaign with the Chicago Bears, where he caught only nine of 14 targets for 72 yards and no touchdowns on offense over 13 games (no starts). The 31-year-old will most likely be more of an asset to the Browns on special teams as a kick returner than he will be on offense, as he hasn't had more than 46 catches, 538 yards or three touchdowns in a single season during his seven NFL seasons. Carter missed the final four games last year with a hamstring injury but should be good to go for training camp this summer. He had 17 punt returns for 158 yards and 15 kickoff returns for 479 yards for the Bears in 2024.

ESPN's Field Yates reports that the New York Giants hosted free-agent quarterback Joe Flacco at their facilities on Thursday. Flacco started six games for the Indianapolis Colts in 2024, compiling 1,761 yards and a 12:7 TD:INT ratio in eight total appearances. The news comes as New York also plans to host QB Russell Wilson on Friday. With Tommy DeVito as the only signal-caller on the roster, the Giants are casting a wide net in search of their next quarterback, and Aaron Rodgers is also linked to the team. New York is in an interesting situation, considering they hold the third pick in this year's draft and could also select a field general there. The Giants require a few more pieces than just a QB to become competitive, though. Still, they are doing their due diligence, exploring every potential avenue to improve their roster from a season ago.

Veteran quarterback Kenny Pickett was traded from the Philadelphia Eagles to the Cleveland Browns this week in a deal that sent Dorian Thompson-Robinson to Philly. Pickett is now back in the AFC North after spending his first two seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The former first-round pick said he views himself as a starter with his new organization. The 26-year-old has a 15-10 record as a starter behind 4,765 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions with the Steelers and Eagles. With Deshaun Watson (Achilles) unlikely to play in 2025, there's a real chance Pickett will compete for the starting job, but the Browns are likely to add more competition via free agency or the 2025 NFL Draft.

The Cleveland Browns are acquiring quarterback Kenny Pickett from the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday in exchange for quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a fifth-round draft pick, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. With Deshaun Watson (Achilles) unlikely to be ready to play at all in 2025 after suffering a setback with his torn Achilles, Pickett is expected to compete for the starting job in Cleveland this summer in training camp and the preseason. Veteran Jameis Winston made starts for the Browns after Watson went down last year, but he's an unrestricted free agent and isn't expected to return. Cleveland could add another veteran QB via trade or free agency to compete with Pickett, but they are also fully expected to draft one with the No. 2 overall pick in April. Pickett, a former first-rounder by the Steelers, has thrown 15 TDs and 14 interceptions in his 30 games (25 starts) in his first three years. He'd be a low-end QB2 option in superflex leagues if he's starting for the Browns in 2025.

The Cleveland Browns converted $44.75 million of quarterback Deshaun Watson's (Achilles) 2025 salary into a signing bonus, creating $35.8 million of salary cap space. The team has already reworked Watson's contract in the past but is continuing to make moves to make it less of a financial burden in the future. Watson signed a five-year, $230 million contract with Cleveland ahead of the 2022 campaign, but it's been a disastrous tenure for the former Houston Texans first-round pick. Watson has compiled a 9-10 record across three seasons behind 19 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions. The 29-year-old's 2023 season ended with a major shoulder injury, and his 2024 season was cut short after suffering a torn Achilles. Since his in-game Achilles tear, he has suffered another Achilles setback. Watson is not expected to play in 2025, and it would be a surprise if he sees any playing time for Cleveland in 2026.