Cleveland Browns DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has thrown for 355 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions through two games thus far this season. He will look for his first multi-touchdown game at home in Week 3 against the New York Giants. The Giants have been decent against quarterbacks this season, allowing the 18th-most fantasy points per game to the position. The main concern with Watson here is that the Browns could get out to an early lead which would allow Watson to spend much of the afternoon handing the ball off to his running backs. Due to pass volume concerns and general mediocre play from Watson this season, he settles in as a mid-range QB2 heading into Week 3.

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (ankle) and running back Pierre Strong Jr. (hamstring) have both been ruled out for the Week 3 contest this Sunday in Tennessee against the Titans. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said earlier this week that it was unlikely that Njoku would return this weekend after spraining his ankle in the Week 1 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Fantasy managers will need to keep the 28-year-old on their benches for at least another week. Jordan Akins caught his only target for a 10-yard gain in last week's win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Fantasy managers should be able to find better TE2 streamers in Week 3. Strong pulled his hammy against the Jaguars and missed practice all week. With the 25-year-old sidelined, D'Onta Foreman could have a bigger role again as the change-of-pace back behind starter Jerome Ford.

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (ankle) missed practice for the second straight day this week. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said already this week that it's unlikely that Njoku will return in Week 3 to face the New York Giants, so it's not much of a surprise that Njoku has yet to practice this week. Fantasy managers should be fully prepared to be without Njoku against this weekend. The 28-year-old suffered a high-ankle sprain in the Week 1 loss to the Dallas Cowboys and could ended up missing more time beyond this weekend. Still, he deserves to be stashed in all fantasy formats for now. In the Week 2 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars without Njoku, Jordan Akins was only targeted once and caught it for a 10-yard gain. Meanwhile, receiver Elijah Moore drew a team-high eight targets and came away with six receptions for 44 yards. Akins is, at best, a touchdown-dependent TE2 sleeper this week.

Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. (hamstring) was officially a non-participant in the Browns' Wednesday practice. The third-year RB suffered the injury in Cleveland's 18-13 road victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday that Strong would be week-to-week; thus, it stands to reason that he could miss at least one game. On the season so far, he's toted the rock just three times for five yards, though he does lead backfield mates D'Onta Foreman and Jerome Ford in receiving yards (30) on three catches. Strong also contributes in the return game, totaling 25 yards on his lone kickoff return. Expect Ford and Foreman to divvy up Strong's touches while he is on the shelf, with Jaelon Darden and James Proche II handling return duties. Cleveland will face off against the Browns at home this Sunday.

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Wednesday that tight end David Njoku (ankle) is unlikely to play in the Week 3 contest this Sunday against the New York Giants due to the ankle injury he suffered in the season-opening loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Njoku was inactive in the Week 2 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars and is now set to miss a second straight game. In his absence last Sunday, Jordan Akins saw a role increase at the tight end position, but it led to only one catch on one target for a 10-yard gain. Akins had better production (three catches for 27 yards) with Njoku active in Week 1. The 28-year-old Njoku should remain stashed in most fantasy formats while he heals. We'll have a better idea early next week as to whether Njoku will have a chance to return for Cleveland's Week 4 contest on the road against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium.