Cleveland Browns DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

The Athletic's Zac Jackson projects Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. to make the team with both Nick Chubb and Nyheim Hines coming off knee injuries. Strong might be the fifth running back on the team, though, and he might not play RB at all. He showcased his impressive straight-line speed in May and June during offseason workouts and most of his work will likely come on special teams as a punt gunner and kickoff returner. For that, he'll likely be on the game-day roster, despite a RB room that includes Chubb, Hines, Jerome Ford and D'Onta Foreman. Strong and backup cornerback Justin Hardee Sr. are near the top of the list of players in line to make the roster for special teams purposes. Just don't count on Strong being anywhere near the fantasy radar in 2024.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) was recently throwing during 7-on-7 drills. While that was a promising sign for fantasy managers, general manager Andrew Berry painted a more encouraging picture. "First and foremost, Deshaun has really worked his tail off," Berry told the media on Monday. "He's really actually ahead of schedule. He's thrown the ball well." The 28-year-old should be ready to go for Week 1 after undergoing shoulder surgery in November. But the real question is if he'll bounce back from a forgettable 2023-24 campaign. Although there's a good chance Watson will, he's still hard to trust to be the No. 1 signal-caller on any fantasy roster.

The Chicago Bears are signing wide receiver DeAndre Carter, according to Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report. The 2015 undrafted free agent has spent time with nine NFL organizations, including the Bears in 2020. Overall, the 31-year-old has tallied 108 receptions for 1,259 yards and six touchdowns. However, he has returned 132 punts and 118 kickoffs in 94 career games, so that's likely why Chicago was interested in bringing him in. Carter is likely to compete with third-year wideout Velus Jones Jr. for return-man duties, a role that could be more important following the updated kickoff rules in 2024. With DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze on the roster, it'd be a surprise if Carter makes an impact as a receiver.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (undisclosed) is sitting out of mandatory minicamp on Tuesday with a minor undisclosed injury. Jeudy's injury doesn't appear to be serious at all, but the Browns aren't going to push their new receiver this offseason. The 25-year-old should be ready to rock for training camp at the end of July, but meanwhile, he's missing valuable repetitions with quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) as he learns a new offense. Jeudy signed a lucrative three-year extension with Cleveland after being acquired in a trade with the Denver Broncos this offseason. The former 15th overall pick by Denver in 2020 out of Alabama has yet to play a full season in four years in the NFL and should be viewed as more of a WR4/5 with a low ceiling and floor in fantasy heading into his first campaign with the Jets behind Amari Cooper.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) is throwing the football in 7-on-7 drills on the first day of mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, which is something he didn't do at voluntary organized team activities last month. It's a big step for Watson, who required surgery last November to fix a displaced glenoid fracture in his right shoulder. The 28-year-old has tangible QB1 upside when healthy, but he hasn't really been healthy since returning from a suspension that kept him out for all of 2021. As long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks, Watson should be a full-go for training camp this summer and be ready for Week 1 of the regular season. Because he's dealing with a unique injury to his throwing arm, Watson should be considered a QB2 in fantasy in 2024 with upside for more if he proves he's completely past the injury.