Deshaun Watson's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson was sued on Monday in Houston for sexual assault and battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The accusations are very similar to those that were made against Watson in more than 20 lawsuits filed back in 2021, and the plaintiff is represented by Tony Buzbee, who represented many others who sued Watson in 2021. It's possible that Watson could be subject to further scrutiny under the league's personal-conduct policy, and it's also possible that a suspension could give the Browns a path toward voiding his remaining salary guarantees and ending the relationship. The biggest difference between this new case and the others is that Watson is specifically accused of sexual assault. After a terrible Week 1 performance against the Cowboys on Sunday, now Watson has yet another legal issue hanging over his head.

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 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 restructured quarterback Deshaun Watson's contract, freeing up $35.83 million in cap space. $44.79 million of Watson's 2024 base salary was converted to a signing bonus to create the extra cap space, which Cleveland now leads the league in with over $62 million. It's an interesting move by the organization, and it could mean they have their eye on a few transactions before the start of the 2024 campaign. However, that is not being reported. This season presents a prove-it year for Watson, who has struggled in just 12 game appearances over the last two seasons since being traded from the Houston Texans.

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski isn't concerned about the health of quarterback Deshaun Watson (arm). He didn't suit up for the team's preseason finale versus the Seattle Seahawks. However, Stefanski downplayed any speculation regarding Watson's "arm soreness," stating he feels "great" about the signal-caller's health. In addition, Stefanski expects Watson to participate fully in upcoming practices, although he's already comfortable with the amount of work his quarterback has put in this offseason. While the coach isn't concerned, the same can't be said for fantasy managers, considering Watson's limited time on the field in the last few seasons. But the Browns open the season in a few weeks against the Cowboys, so many questions will get answered.