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.

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.

Diontae Johnson is a late-round lottery ticket that is worth purchasing for 2025. Yes, Johnson had a tumultuous 2024 season that led to his release twice last year, but these were related to locker room and playing time issues and not reflective of his talent at this juncture. Johnson was still the target hog last year when he was a starter that we have come to love. Last year, when healthy (Weeks 1-6), among 78 qualifying receivers, Johnson ranked 12th in target share (25.5%), 30th in receiving yards per game (56.7), fourth in first-read share (36.7%), and 21st in first downs per route run (0.100, per Fantasy Points Data). During that stretch, he was the WR28 in fantasy points per game. If he can't endear himself to the coaches in Cleveland and his teammates, he might not break camp with the team, but it's equally possible that he will make the team and become a strong target earner again. If that's the case, Johnson is a wonderful value this season.