Cleveland Browns DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said that quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) will get the "vast majority of the reps" against the Minnesota Vikings in joint practices this week, but he won't play in the second preseason contest game next Saturday against the Vikings despite being cleared for full contact. Watson hasn't had any setbacks in his recovery from right-shoulder surgery last year, but the Browns are being careful with the 28-year-old, and it now looks like he won't get any preseason reps until perhaps the final game. The former 12th overall pick by the Houston Texans in 2017 out of Clemson is a three-time Pro Bowler but has played in only 12 games total since joining Cleveland in 2021 due to a suspension and injuries. Draft him as a QB2 with upside as he looks for a bounce-back campaign in 2024.

Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. racked up the yardage in his team's 23-10 loss to the Green Bay Packers in their preseason opener on Saturday. Strong carried the ball six times for 15 yards while adding two catches for 10 yards in the contest. He also made an impact in the return game as he took the Browns' first kick return 27 yards to set up a field-goal-scoring drive. Strong is stuck behind multiple running backs on the depth chart but he could carve out a decent role if Nick Chubb (knee) isn't ready to play in Week 1 or if Jerome Ford suffers an injury during the season. Strong could also hold some value in fantasy leagues that give points for yardage in the return game, especially with the new dynamic kickoff rules in place.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jamari Thrash made an impressive pro debut in his team's 23-10 loss to the Green Bay Packers in their preseason opener on Saturday. Thrash led the Browns in receiving, catching three of his five targets for 43 yards in the contest. He caught all of his passes from second-year QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson and ripped off a long reception of 22 yards. The Browns used a fifth-round pick in the 2024 draft to select Thrash. While he made a solid debut, he still has a long climb up the depth chart to reach fantasy relevance.

Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford saw limited action in his team's 23-10 loss to the Green Bay Packers in the preseason opener on Saturday. Ford played on just the team's first offensive drive, carrying the ball twice for four yards before calling it a day. With Nick Chubb's status for Week 1 in question, Ford could be slated for a prominent role in the Cleveland offense, especially in the early going, making him a decent value for fantasy managers who wait on the running back position in drafts.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston drew the start under center in his team's 23-10 loss to the Green Bay Packers in the preseason opener on Saturday. Winston was in for only the team's first offensive possession of the game, completing four of his five passes for 30 yards and leading the team to a Cade York field goal. Winston departed after that, giving way to veteran Tyler Huntley. The veteran signal-caller is the favorite to open the year as Cleveland's backup quarterback behind Deshaun Watson.