Cleveland Browns DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson completed 24 of his 45 passes for 169 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions while adding 39 yards on five carries in a 33-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1. It was a rough afternoon for Watson, who did not look comfortable for much of the game while going against a fierce Dallas pass rush. His lone touchdown pass was a six-yard completion to Jerry Jeudy in the third quarter. Watson should have had another touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter as he threw a strike near the goal line to a wide-open Amari Cooper, who let the ball slip between his hands for an incompletion. While the offense's sluggish start to the season is concerning for Browns fans and fantasy gamers rostering Watson alike, it is worth noting that the Cowboys have an excellent defense, so better times could still be ahead. That said, Watson looks like a middling QB2 heading into a Week 2 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars on the road.

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (ankle) exited Sunday's matchup with the Dallas Cowboys. He's questionable to return. However, considering he needed assistance to the locker room, fantasy managers shouldn't be shocked if he doesn't make it back for the remainder of Week 1. If that's the case, he'll finish with four catches for 44 yards. Hopefully, it isn't anything serious. But Njoku may appear on the injury report ahead of the Week 2 meeting with the Jaguars.

Cleveland Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins will kick off his 2024 season with a home matchup against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1. The Cowboys were tough on fantasy kickers last year, allowing just the 29th-most fantasy points per game to the position. Hopkins was a reliable kicker for the Browns in 2023, hitting 33 of his 36 field-goal tries, including all eight of his tries from 50+ yards. It remains to be seen how efficient the Cleveland offense will be this season, which coupled with the tough matchup, leaves Hopkins outside of the top-12 fantasy kicker options this weekend.

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku will look to build upon a breakout season last year when he takes on the Dallas Cowboys at home in Week 1. The Cowboys represent a tough matchup for tight ends as they allowed just the 25th-most fantasy points per game to the position in 2023. That being said, Njoku emerged as a top option in the passing attack last year and should continue to be one of the top targets for Deshaun Watson this season. Fantasy managers can comfortably fire Njoku up as a top-10 tight end for the season opener this weekend.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy will take on the Dallas Cowboys at home in Week 1. Jeudy, who is making his Cleveland debut, dealt with a knee injury during training camp but he appears to be fully healthy heading into the season opener. Jeudy reportedly showed nice chemistry with Deshaun Watson during the preseason, although it remains to be seen whether that transfers over to the regular season. For now, Jeudy appears to be the team's No. 2 or No. 3 option in the passing game behind Amari Cooper and possibly David Njoku. For now, he sets up as a low-end flex, and fantasy managers should be in wait-and-see mode until it is more clear how Jeudy fits into the Cleveland offense.