Browns' Fantasy Football Draft Options: Jerry Jeudy, David Njoku, Quinshon Judkins and More

Let's go over another fantasy football outlook by checking out the Cleveland Browns.

We have covered the Steelers, Packers, Titans, Panthers, Chiefs, Falcons, Jaguars, Commanders, Texans, Cardinals, Bengals, Lions, Dolphins, 49ers, Chargers, Eagles, Ravens, Seahawks, Bills, Buccaneers, Patriots, Cowboys, Raiders, Rams, Broncos and Giants so far. We will go over the other teams before the end of this week, so keep checking back for more!

Wish a real fantasy expert could break down your team, not just spit out generic advice? Now you can - get a personalized Team Breakdown, tailored for your exact league.

Joe Flacco Fantasy Outlook

Flacco will open the regular season as the team's starting quarterback. If he falters, or the team is struggling, then rookies Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders could get a chance to lead the team.

Flacco is 40 years old, but still has a bit of gas in the tank. I don't expect him to start all season, instead starting until the team deems one of the rookies to be ready.

Over eight games and six starts with the Colts last season, Flacco had 1,761 yards, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions as a passer. He had 26 yards and no scores on the ground.

This Browns' offense is pretty weak overall, so any quarterback that starts won't have a ton of help. Flacco is the best passer of the bunch, and elevates the outlook for the pass catchers, at least to start the year.

Flacco is QB33 and going near pick 279 on average. Sanders is actually a spot ahead of him on the ADP list, in anticipation of him eventually winning the job.

Flacco is just a depth option in deeper leagues, but could be a streaming option at times. I don't know if he'll get to standard league streaming value, but I wouldn't write him off completely in case he gets there.

I think Gabriel or Sanders would have better streaming value if they eventually get the chance to start. You can just pick them up off the waiver wire if that happens - don't waste a bench spot rostering a team's backup quarterback, unless you are in a super deep redraft league.

Running Back Fantasy Outlook

Jerome Ford is expected to lead the backfield in 2025. Quinshon Judkins is an un-signed rookie who could also lead the way in time - if he ever signs. Rookie Dylan Sampson is another depth option.

This backfield is a mess with Judkins still un-signed. He's the top Cleveland back off draft board, going around pick 94 as RB33. 

Judkins was the team's second-round pick this offseason. He went un-signed because he was dealing with some legal issues. Judkins won't face charges, but he's still un-signed as the regular season nears.

Even if he's signed before the season kicks off, he'll likely need to ramp up, so I'm not thrilled with his early-season outlook. His ADP isn't super early, but it's also improved of late - I think pick 90 would be my cutoff for where I'd want to draft him until he's signed, otherwise I'll let someone else take the gamble.

If he does sign, I expect Judkins to lead this backfield by the end of the season. For now, Ford is the guy to roster.

Ford is RB49 and is going around pick 135 on average. Sampson is near pick 168 as RB57.

Ford has gotten 18 starts over the past couple years as Nick Chubb dealt with injuries. He had a 1,132-yard and nine-score season in 2023, but only had 780 yards and three scores over 14 games in 2024.

He clearly didn't show enough to win the starting role this season, otherwise the team wouldn't have taken Judkins in the second round. As I said before though, Ford is the top option until Judkins is back.

I'd be happy to spend a late-round pick on Ford as a result. The risk is low, and he could be a starting option at least at the start of the season. Ford could end up being a pretty big draft steal if Judkins doesn't get rolling as a rookie.

Sampson was a fourth-round pick this offseason, and should fill the No. 2 RB role until Judkins is ready to go. He is a guy to take in deeper leagues, but I'd avoid him in standard leagues.

If Judkins doesn't sign, or starts slow, and Sampson carves out a role early on, he could be a waiver wire add or streaming option in standard leagues.

This backfield is a mess, and it might take several weeks for things to shake out. FantasySP will help you determine the best options throughout the season, so keep checking back with us.

Wide Receiver Fantasy Outlook

Jerry Jeudy is easily the team's top wide receiver. Cedric Tillman and Jamari Thrash are the other projected starters. Kaden Davis, Isaiah Bond and Gage Larvadain are the top backups at this point.

Jeudy is WR32 and going near pick 72 overall so far. I like his outlook a touch more to open the season with Flacco throwing to him.

Across 17 games last season, Jeudy had 1,229 yards and four scores, which made it one of his best seasons in the NFL.

He doesn't have much competition for targets and production in the wide receiver room, so he could be in line for an even bigger season in 2025. I like drafting him near his ADP - you won't find too many WR1s for their team after Jeudy.

Getting him as a third wideout is where I prefer to grab Jeudy - he's a bit of a weak WR2. He should be startable most weeks, which makes him a great value pick near his ADP.

Tillman is WR64 and is going near pick 182 on average.

He went for 334 yards and three scores over 11 games a season ago. Tillman caught 29 of his 49 targets.

He's a solid No. 2 wideout, but would probably be a better No. 3. Tillman has an ADP as high as he does because of the lack of weapons in Cleveland.

I'd avoid him in standard league drafts, and only consider him as a waiver wire option or streamer add during the season. He has some value the deeper a league gets, but is a flex-level option at best to open the season, and might not see that value grow too much.

Bond isn't on the ADP list, but I'm going to mention him anyway. He was not charged in a sexual assault case (which stopped him from being drafted this offseason). He would have been a pretty high pick, so he could turn into something in Cleveland.

I'm not drafting him in a standard league, but he could get into those leagues as the season gets rolling. He very well could end up as WR2 after Jeudy, and for that reason, you need to keep close tabs on him.

Tight End Fantasy Outlook

David Njoku is the team's starting tight end. If he gets injured again, rookie Harold Fannin Jr. is next in line.

Njoku is TE9 and is going near pick 95 on average. Fannin is TE39 and going near pick 312.

Njoku got in 11 games last season, catching 64 of his 97 targets for 505 yards and five scores. He had 882 yards and six scores over six games in 2023, so he's capable of more.

I like his upside this season, but his injury concerns are keeping his ADP near pick 100. I see some nice draft value there and like taking a gamble on him there. 

I sometimes get him as a second fantasy TE, but he could also be a starting option - just make sure to grab a secondary option after him. I see Njoku as a top-10 fantasy option (and maybe pushing for the top five) if he stays healthy.

Fannin was a third-round pick this offseason, so the Browns are set if Njoku gets injured. I think Fannin could factor in right away, as he could fill the role a second or third wide receiver would normally fill.

It's rare to see a team have two viable fantasy tight ends, but I could see it working in Cleveland this coming year. Fannin is just a deep leaguer for now, but he's worth watching and could be worth an add or some streaming starts as the season progresses.