Part of a “throw it against the wall and see who sticks” quarterback
strategy in Cleveland, Sanders is one of several candidates for
the starting gig. After a tumultuous draft, and early season,
Sanders finally got an eight-game run to show that he could be
the long-term answer for the Browns. After a turnover filled try-out,
there remain more questions about his NFL future than answers.
He currently lacks the polish and arm talent to be a starter in
the league, and doubts about his maturity and leadership still
linger. Likely to play quarterback roulette again in 2026, the
future QB of the Browns will be coming in the 2027 draft.
A candidate for the early 2020’s Most Despicable Person Award,
Watson looks to return to the field for the first time since Week
7 of 2024. Replaced by a rogue’s gallery of more recent cultural
villains, the noise around Watson has subsided, and he seems to
have a real chance at winning the starting role. This franchise
is desperate to clean the egg off its face after the worst trade
in NFL history, so he’s going to get a legit chance to get on
the field. He possesses the most talent in the QB room, but between
injuries, and years of embarrassment is it really possible for
him to rise from the ashes and be fantasy relevant again? It’s
2026, would anything really surprise you?
Despite missing the entirety of training camp last season and
then being stuck on a rudderless offense, Judkins displayed dominant
traits. His burst, power, and vision popped off the screen, and
he was easily the best thing going for the Browns until a horrific
lower leg injury ended his season in Week 16. Surgery went well,
and rehab has been quiet, so there is optimism Judkins could be
full-go at the start of camp. While these types of injuries aren’t
death knells, it does take some time for players to return to
pre-injury form. Most recently Isiah Pacheco, and Tony Pollard
needed a full year before the burst and power returned. Judkins
does have youth on his side, but I expect he’ll be eased in to
start the year. If Todd Monken can find a QB and get this offense
going, Judkins has a ton of room to grow, but a lighter workload,
presence of Dylan Sampson as a pass catching back, and a young
offense in transition, force Judkins into more of a low-end RB2
spot.
Although the final stats left a lot to be desired, Sampson flashed
the skills he had at the collegiate level in his rookie year.
He was able to carve out a role as the main pass catching back
for the Browns. Cleveland has added nothing to the backfield this
offseason, and it looks to remain a two-man show. Sampson is still
developing as an NFL player, and will be behind Judkins in any
rotation, but he should see the field more frequently this season,
as Judkins works his way back from injury. If Cleveland can find
a functioning quarterback, Sampson could hold some PPR value,
but he’s most valuable as a handcuff for Judkins.
After his 2024 statistical anomaly, Jeudy crashed back down-to-earth
last season. He put up the 2nd worst statistical season of his
career, and the Browns added first and second round receivers
into the mix. There is currently a seven-man log-jam at receiver,
and Jeudy is from the old regime. Sure, he’s the WR1 now, but
how long before this rebuilding team sees more value in moving
Jeudy off the roster, than keeping him on it? Jeudy simply hasn’t
put up the career numbers you’d expect from a mid-1st round pick,
and Cleveland has a younger core to develop. A preseason / trade
deadline move would make him a very interesting fantasy asset,
but in Cleveland, it’s safe to take a pass.
The 24th pick in the draft, Concepcion seems like the perfect
fit for the offense. Very similar to Zay Flowers, whom Coach Todd
Monken got the most out of in Baltimore, Concepcion uses quickness,
and sudden burst to dominate short area choice routes. A questionable
offense line, and murky QB situation make a receiver like Concepcion
very valuable. He can get open quickly, and use his run after
catch ability. He should see the field plenty as the starting
slot receiver, and is a good bet to lead this team in receptions.
A great fit for Monken’s system, his production is more insulated
from poor QB play than most of the other pass catchers on this
team. Looking at a host of negative game scripts, Concepcion should
hold value in PPR leagues as a WR3.
Coming off one of the most productive collegiate seasons for
a tight end in NCAA history, Fannin kept it up during his rookie
NFL season. Not only did he come from nowhere to finish in the
top-5, but he did it splitting time with David Njoku. Fannin finished
the season on a tear, scoring four touchdowns, and piling up 24
receptions in the final five games. From start to finish he was
a massive part of the passing game, and at times, the only Cleveland
pass catcher worth paying attention to. With David Njoku gone,
Fannin gets alpha status entering 2026. Expect Fannin to be used
all over the formation in this Monken offense as he is utilized
as a mismatch identifying chess piece. There is some concern the
addition of Concepcion could eat into his ceiling, as they both
excel in the same area of the field, but Fannin has proven to
be a reliable, game altering talent, and should remain a top-10
option at the position.
