Cleveland Browns Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

Browns RB Jerome Ford's Week 1 status is in doubt after he injured his hamstring on Monday, according to insider Mary Kay Cabot. Ford seemingly had the No. 2 RB job -- and potentially a third-down role -- locked up. We'll see if this injury spurs the Browns to add to the backfield. Outside of Ford and Nick Chubb, the only other RBs on the roster are Demetric Felton, John Kelly, and Hassan Hall.

Per Browns reporter Tony Grossi, RB Jerome Ford suffered a right hamstring injury in Monday’s practice. He hobbled off the field to get checked out by team trainers. We’ll let you know when we hear about the severity.

Browns HC Kevin Stefanski said Sunday that the team's third-down RB job is up for grabs. "Could be Nick [Chubb], could be Jerome [Ford]," Stefanski said. Chubb played just 21% of Cleveland's third-down snaps last year, ceding most of that work to RB Kareem Hunt, who's no longer on the team. Any extra third-down work Chubb picks up this season would be a bonus -- and give him an opportunity to grow his receiving production considerably. Ford, meanwhile, seems locked in as the Chubb handcuff. If he captures the majority of the third-down work, he'd have a chance at some standalone value in PPR leagues.

ESPN's Courtney Cronin reports that RBs Khalil Herbert and D'Onta Foreman "have been involved in the passing game quite a bit" in early training-camp practices. That has included "check downs, screens, short passes," she added. Herbert has been the assumed first guy up in Chicago's backfield, so it's not a surprising report for him. It's especially noteworthy for Foreman, however. He has just 23 total receptions since entering the NFL in 2017. Rookie Roschon Johnson not making that note adds intrigue. It was reported soon after Chicago drafted him that Johnson impressed with his passing-game aptitude, including both receiving and blocking. It's early, of course. And this doesn't look like a good offense for RB target counts overall. But we'll certainly keep watching the Bears' backfield competition -- and potentially shuffling our RB rankings.

Browns WR Amari Cooper returned to the practice field for Friday's training-camp session. He ended up missing four days with what never sounded like a significant injury. We'll keep an eye on Cooper the rest of the summer, but consider his fantasy value unchanged.

Browns GM Andrew Berry has been impressed by RB Jerome Ford's ability in the passing game. "Feel really good about Jerome Ford," Berry said. "Had a strong spring, pass protection especially. We think his receiver skills are strong." That's particularly noteworthy as the Browns look to replace RB Kareem Hunt, who averaged 3.4 targets per game over the last four seasons. We're not expecting Ford to pick up all of that work -- or be a standalone fantasy option behind a healthy Nick Chubb. But this looks like further confirmation that Ford is the Chubb handcuff, barring an addition to the Cleveland backfield.

Browns HC Kevin Stefanski talked up WR Elijah Moore's versatility on Monday. "To have a player that can play outside and inside, I think, is very valuable," Stefanski said. OC Alex Van Pelt made similar comments back in June. Moore has been one of the buzzier players of the offseason so far and looks set to play a big role in the Browns offense. Read more on Moore's fantasy upside in our Sleepers article.

Browns HC Kevin Stefanski confirmed on Monday that WR Amari Cooper's injury isn’t a long-term concern. Stefanski even said that Cooper might get back on the practice field today. We'll keep an eye on him, but consider Cooper's fantasy stock unaffected.

Bills RB Nyheim Hines is expected to miss the entire 2023 season after suffering a "significant knee injury off-site," according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. We'll look for more details on the injury and Hines' rehab timeline. The Bills acquired him via trade last November but used him primarily in a special teams role. Hines handled just six carries and nine targets in nine regular season games -- and then zero carries and three targets in two postseason appearances. There's very little fantasy impact here, besides making RB James Cook a slightly safer bet to handle passing-down snaps.

Update: Pelissero reports that Hines was struck by a jetski. He suffered a torn left ACL, per team reporter Alaina Getzenberg.

Browns GM Andrew Berry is happy with the progress QB Deshaun Watson has made on and off the field this offseason. "He's in a really good place," Berry said. "I think this is going to be a big year for him professionally and personally. We think he's in great shape physically. He's been really good on the field and I love what he's done off the field. So we're excited about him." Watson struggled in his return late last year. But with a full offseason in HC Kevin Stefanski's offense, he's primed for a big bounce back. Watson has big profit potential at his current late-7th-round ADP.

Browns WR Amari Cooper left Sunday's training camp practice with what GM Andrew Berry labeled a "minor tweak." Berry wouldn't say what Cooper injured but did say that it's not related to his offseason core-muscle surgery. This doesn't seem like a big deal, but we'll keep you updated on Cooper's status.

Browns WR Marquise Goodwin will miss the start of training camp due to blood clots, NFL Network's James Palmer reports. Goodwin reportedly experienced discomfort in his legs and shortness of breath during OTAs, per Palmer. A check-up revealed blood clots in his legs and lungs. We'll see if Goodwin is cleared by the start of the season, but he's well off the fantasy radar.

Browns WR Amari Cooper immediately became an impactful player in this offense following a trade from the Cowboys. He finished as the WR10 in PPR with 14.5 points per game in 2022. Digging into the numbers a bit, Cooper led the Browns in targets (133), target share (26.2%), air yards share (38.7%), and Weighted Opportunity Rating. Additionally, Cooper ranked 12th in PFF receiving grade, 12th in yards per route run (2.06), and 16th in receiving yards (1,160) among 34 WRs who saw 100+ targets last season. Granted, most of his production last year came with QB Jacoby Brissett under center. Cooper logged six top-12 weekly finishes in 2022, with only one coming in the six games that QB Deshaun Watson started from Week 13 on. Watson spent nearly two years away from the game of football due to off-field conduct and didn't play up to the previous level of performance he displayed as a member of the Texans. Should he improve, Cooper might be one of the best value picks in fantasy this season. The Browns' offense finished last year 22nd in pass rate, though they should improve upon that somewhat now that Watson has reacclimated himself to the NFL game after being away from the sport. If the Browns pass more and Cooper plays like his dominant self, he'll be a precious asset for fantasy managers. Take a peek at where Cooper appears in our current WR rankings.

Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy missed two full games and most of three others with injuries last year. But in the other 12, he averaged 7.7 targets, 5.2 catches, 74.7 yards, and 0.5 TDs. His scoring averages in those games would have ranked 13th among WRs in PPR points and 14th in half-PPR. Jeudy also ranked seventh among 80 qualifying WRs in yards per target and 12th in yards per route. He's improved in both of those metrics across each of his first three NFL seasons. Still just 24, Jeudy should still be ascending. And he gets a significant coaching upgrade this season with HC Sean Payton replacing Nathaniel Hackett. If QB Russell Wilson can bounce back from an ugly 2022, Jeudy is primed for a true breakout season.

Browns RB Nick Chubb averaged a career-high 17.7 carries per game in 2022. RB coach Stump Mitchell thinks that number may increase this fall. "Well, Nick hasn’t averaged 20 carries any single year in his career," Mitchell said via the Akron Beacon Journal. "If anything, they may increase. Hopefully we'll be a lot more successful in the passing game and we'll be running the ball more in the third or fourth quarter.” Michell also said Chubb will have an “opportunity to catch more passes.” (He even said a 1,000-yard receiving season is within reach, a wild claim.) The veteran tallied 27 catches for 239 yards last season and owns a career-high of 36 catches (2019). Current projections have Chubb pegged for 300 total touches.

Browns TE David Njoku awoke from his fantasy slumber and finished as TE11 overall with 10.1 points per game in 2022. He hadn't finished that high since being the TE9 in 2018 and has only two other career top-25 fantasy seasons to his name. Fantasy managers looking for a high-end contributor at TE in 2023 outside the elite tier of players should look no further than Njoku. The former 1st-round pick finished 2022 12th among TEs in target share (18.2%), 13th in air yards share (15.2%), and fifth in Pro Football Focus receiving grade. Though most of that production came with QB Jacoby Brissett in the lineup last season, we feel optimistic about QB Deshaun Watson's chances at improving in 2023, which will certainly keep Njoku among the highest opportunity earners at the position. Take a look at where he we have him projected in our current TE rankings.

Browns RB Nick Chubb posted a career year in 2022, finishing as the RB7 in PPR points per game (16.6). Even better, the lowest weekly fantasy finish Chubb recorded in 2022 was RB37, meaning he was at least a flex-worthy player in every game he played. He finished the season third in Pro Football Focus rushing grade, rushing yards (1,525), and yards after contact (1,050), in addition to tying for fourth in rushing TDs (12). But if you zoom in a bit, Chubb did take a step backward in a couple of areas. He logged a career-low 3.48 yards after contact per attempt, down from 4.24 and 4.00 the previous two years, and his 97.2 PFF Elusive Rating marked much lower than his 2021 (107.7) and 2020 (126.6) numbers. We still have a lot of faith in Chubb in 2023 despite the red flags. Only 2021 fifth-round pick Jerome Ford, a player who logged 8 total touches last season, stands as competition for touches, and the Browns’ offensive line that ranked eighth in PFF team run-blocking grade is still strong. See where Chubb lands in our current RB rankings.

Zac Jackson of The Athletic believes Browns QB Deshaun Watson will be “much better” in 2023. We’re in strong agreement there. Watson struggled across six late-season games last year, tallying 6.5 yards per attempt and a 58.2% completion rate. But let’s recognize that he played his first regular season games since the 2020 season. And we’re ultimately talking about a small sample of 170 attempts. Cleveland added WRs Elijah Moore and Cedric Tillman to a receiving corps already featuring Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones, and David Njoku. Watson sits inside the top 10 of our QB rankings.

Per Zac Jackson of The Athletic, Browns RB Jerome Ford “is going to be given every chance to be the guy” behind Nick Chubb. Citing Cleveland’s current depth, Jackson writes: “I believe the Browns know they can find a veteran runner if necessary but won’t be in a hurry to sign one.” Some candidates include Zeke Elliott, Leonard Fournette, and perhaps a reunion with Kareem Hunt. Ford remains an excellent shot to take near the end of best ball drafts.

Browns OC Alex Van Pelt gave his assessment of WR Elijah Moore at OTAs. “He has great flexibility; inside and outside flexibility,” Van Pelt said. “He can run individual routes outside and win out there. He can come into the slot and has the twitch to win in the slot as well. He has excellent hands and a good feel for the game. So, he’s really a complete receiver that can play both inside and out.” Moore’s generated buzz for his early connection with Deshaun Watson. It’s worth noting, though, that Amari Cooper has been limited in practice following offseason core muscle surgery. Still, Moore looks like a strong pick at WR48 on Underdog Fantasy. He sits higher in our WR rankings.