Fantasy Football Player Notes

Deshaun Watson started seven games for the Browns in 2024, and Jerry Jeudy averaged three catches and 38 receiving yards in those games. Jameis Winson started seven games for the Browns, and Jeudy averaged seven catches and 112.3 yards in those games. Down the stretch, Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Bailey Zappe combined to make three starts for the Browns, and Jeudy averaged 6.7 catches and 59 yards in those games. The point is that Jeudy produced compelling numbers with every QB he played with last season other than Watson. With so many questions about the Browns' murky QB situation in 2025, Jeudy might not be able to match his 90-catch, 1,229-yard performance from 2024, but his fifth-year surge was legit, and he looks like a bargain at his lower-end WR3 ADP.

Following the best season if his career in 2023, David Njoku missed six games in 2024 with ankle hamstring and knee injuries, and his efficiency plummeted. Njoku finished with 64-505-5 in 11 games last season. He averaged a career-low 7.9 yards per catch and only 5.2 yards per target. But with the right quarterback, Njoku can be a fantasy force. In games he played with QB Jameis Winston last year, Njoku averaged 10.3 targets a game and scored five TDs over a seven-game stretch. He was TE4 in PPR fantasy points per game (16.4) over that period. The Browns' QB situation looks messy for 2025, but one of the candidates to make starts at quarterback is Joe Flacco, who really clicked with Njoku when they played together in Cleveland in 2023. When Flacco made five late-season starts for the Browns that year, Njoku had 30-390-4 and was TE2 in PPR fantasy points per game (18.2) over that span. Njoku could be a value in 2025 fantasy drafts entering his age-29 season, but his fortunes are tied to the Cleveland quarterbacks, which isn't exactly reassuring.

Cedric Tillman had an interesting 2025 season. He didn't play much until Week 7, which was also the week when Deshaun Watson tore his Achilles. Over a four-game stretch from Week 7 to Week 11, Tillman had 24 catches for 302 yards and three touchdowns. He was the WR8 in PPR fantasy points per game (18.6) over that stretch. Then, in Week 12, Tillman sustained a concussion. He went on injured reserve and didn't play again the rest of the season.
It was a short but very promising burst from Tillman in his second NFL season. The surge may have been at least partly fueled by the aggressive downfield throwing of Jameis Winston. The Browns' QB situation is muddy for 2025, but one of the candidates to see significant action at quarterback for the Browns is Joe Flacco, who, like Winston, is a hyper-aggressive downfield thrower. Tillman is an intriguing sleeper for 2025.

With the Quinshon Judkins off-the-field issues, Jerome Ford reenters the fray as a late-round running back option. Last year, when he was active with Nick Chubb in the lineup, he averaged 8.2 touches and 47.7 total yards as the RB39 in fantasy points per game. Ford remained explosive last year. Among 46 qualifying backs, he ranked eighth in explosive run rate and yards after contact per attempt while finishing 18th in missed tackles forced per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). If Judkins doesn't get suspended, Ford's fantasy value in 2025 is barely palpable, as Judkins and Dylan Sampson will likely lead the way. If Judkins misses any time, Ford will likely fall back into his previous role for the team as a committee back, ceding the passing down work to Sampson. Ford could offer some flex appeal in deeper leagues to begin the season and some best-ball upside.

The Cleveland Browns took Quinshon Judkins early in the second round of this year's draft and will probably use him as their lead back, though he'll have to fend off competition from veteran Jerome Ford and fellow rookie Dylan Sampson. A powerful, decisive runner with good contact balance and nifty feet, Quinshon Judkins had 1,567 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns as a true freshman at Ole Miss. His last two college seasons were good but not quite as awe-inspiring. The limitation of the Cleveland offense could keep Judkins' fantasy value in check this year, but he has a chance to provide RB3 or flex value, if not more. A domestic violence arrest kept the Browns from signing Judkins in time for the start of training camp, but with no charges forthcoming, there is no danger of Judkins missing the season.

Dylan Sampson has the chance to assert himself atop the Browns RB depth chart. Quinshon Judkins remains unsigned and Jerome Ford took a pay cut to stay on the Browns roster. The Browns want a rookie to be a major contributor and Sampson will be that guy as long as Judkins remains out of the picture. The Tennessee RB broke out in 2024 with a 34% dominator rating and is yet to turn 21 years old. He fits the Browns' outside zone run scheme to a tee and has been praised as a capable pass-catcher throughout the offseason. One of the best RB sleepers you can draft with both immediate and long-term appeal if the Judkins situation drags on.

Harold Fannin put up absurd numbers at Bowling Green last season, catching 117 passes for 1,555 yards and 10 touchdowns. The good news about Fannin's NFL landing spot is that the Browns spent a third-round pick on him. The bad news is that Cleveland already has David Njoku as its primary tight end. Fannin's hands and movement skills should translate to the NFL -- eventually. But at 230 pounds, Fannin might not be an every-down tight end. The prospects of a fantasy-relevant season for Fannin in 2025 seem remote at best.