Cleveland Browns DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said he's "hopeful" that tight end David Njoku (hamstring) can play in Week 16 against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals. Stefanski said that Njoku is "getting better" after he was forced to sit out of the Week 15 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs after injuring his hamstring the previous week in the loss to the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers. The 28-year-old's fantasy value had received a boost with quarterback Jameis Winston under center -- he had 16 reception on a whopping 30 targets for 94 yards and three touchdowns in his last two games. However, Winston was benched in the 21-7 loss to the Chiefs on Sunday, so it could be Dorian Thompson-Robinson under center against the Bengals this weekend, which could make Njoku a shakier TE1 option for fantasy managers if he returns to the field.

Cleveland Browns tight end Jordan Akins caught three of his four targets for 30 yards in a 21-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15. Akins saw an increased role in the Cleveland offense after David Njoku (hamstring) was ruled out on Sunday morning and wound up finishing second on the team in receiving behind only Jerry Jeudy. Akins will be worth a look as a streamer in deep leagues and two-tight end formats in Week 16 against the Cincinnati Bengals if Njoku is forced to miss another game.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Elijah Moore caught two of his six targets for minus-one yard in a 21-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15. Moore appeared to be on his way to a larger role with tight end David Njoku (hamstring) inactive but he ended up doing next to nothing in the blowout loss. The veteran had a nice stretch in November and early December but he has now caught just five passes for 33 yards over his past two games. That being said, he will still be worth a look as a flex option in a plus matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 16 assuming that the team sticks with Jameis Winston after benching him late in the loss to the Chiefs.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy caught 11 of his 14 targets for 108 yards in a 21-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15. Jeudy easily led all Cleveland pass-catchers in targets, receptions, and receiving yards in the blowout loss to the Chiefs while notching the third 100-yard receiving game in his past five contests. The only concern here for fantasy managers rostering Jeudy is that the Browns benched Jameis Winston late in the game after his third interception and turned to second-year QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Head coach Kevin Stefanski would not say who would be his starting quarterback in Week 16 against the Cincinnati Bengals but a switch to DTR would be a negative for the entire Cleveland passing game. Stay tuned.

Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford carried the ball seven times for 84 yards and a touchdown while catching both of his targets for 20 yards in a 21-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15. Ford saw some extra work with starter Nick Chubb leaving the game early with a broken foot. The veteran running back did most of his damage on a 62-yard touchdown in the third quarter, giving him his second touchdown of the season. With Chubb set to miss the remainder of the season, Ford will operate as the Browns' lead back for the remainder of the season and should be a priority waiver claim in the upcoming week.