Cleveland Browns DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford will open the season as the team's starter after Nick Chubb (knee) was placed on the PUP list. Ford draws a tough Week 1 matchup as he will take on the Dallas Cowboys at home to kick off the 2024 season. The Cowboys were stout against the run in 2023, allowing just the 22nd-most fantasy points per game to running backs. Ford was very average as a rusher last season but he did show skill in the passing attack, hauling in five touchdown grabs on 44 catches. He should be busy in the passing game against an explosive Dallas offense this week, making him a solid flex option for fantasy gamers.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will kick off his 2024 season with a tough home matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Watson did not see any game action in the preseason after his 2023 campaign was cut short by a shoulder injury suffered during Week 12 against the Baltimore Ravens, so there may be a bit of rust to knock off for the signal-caller. The Cowboys represent a tough matchup for Watson as they allowed just the 26th-most fantasy points per game to the quarterback position last season. Watson's tenure with the Browns has been marked by inconsistency, although he will play with the best group of pass catchers he has had since joining the team two years ago. Treat Watson as a low-end QB2 with some upside for the season opener.

The Cleveland Browns have waived wide receiver David Bell, a third-round pick from the 2022 NFL draft. With no immediate addition to the 53-man roster, the Browns now have an open spot as they prepare for the season opener. Over his career with the Browns, Bell played in 31 regular-season games, recording 38 catches for 381 yards and three touchdowns. He also had eight receptions for 54 yards in last season's playoff loss to the Texans. The remaining wide receivers on the active roster are Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, Elijah Moore, Jamari Thrash, and Cedric Tillman. This move may signal confidence in the development of Tillman and Thrash, who are expected to take on more prominent roles in 2024. Ultimately, Bell's tenure with the Browns did not meet the team's expectations when they selected him in the third round two years ago.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver David Bell (quad) returned to practice in limited fashion on Wednesday. The third-year wideout has been on the shelf since Aug. 10, when he sustained a quadriceps injury against the Green Bay Packers. Left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. also returned to practice. It remains to be seen whether or not Bell will be ready to suit up for the team's home opener against the Dallas Cowboys this Sunday. The Purdue product is listed as a second-string WR on Cleveland's depth chart heading into Week 1 and has totaled just 38 receptions for 381 yards and three touchdowns on 58 targets across his first two seasons. He faces increased competition for those targets in 2024 due to the Browns' acquisition of Jerry Jeudy and David Njoku's strong performance in the latter part of last season. Bell is currently nothing more than a best ball dart throw in his current situation.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (knee) was a full participant in practice on Wednesday. Jeudy has been relatively banged up throughout the preseason and training camp but appears to be full healthy heading into Week 1. Jeudy is looking for a fresh start in Cleveland after spending his first four seasons with the Denver Broncos. Jeudy has flashed potential at times during his career but has never put it all together for a full season. Jeudy will look to make a name for himself starting this week against the Dallas Cowboys. If Jeudy can build on the 758 receiving yards and two touchdowns he recorded in 2023, then he may yet be an occasional fantasy contributor.