Deshaun Watson Stinks in Opener

No Receiving Success

Unsurprisingly, Watson didn't support much receiving production. TE David Njoku led Cleveland with 44 receiving yards (on 4 receptions). No other Brown exceeded 27 yards.

Watson connected with WR Amari Cooper just twice among 9 targets for 16 yards. He completed only three passes to WR Jerry Jeudy for 25 yards, among 8 targets. Jeudy caught the lone TD, from 6 yards out midway through the third quarter.

2024 Fantasy Football Impact

Dallas ranked among the league's toughest pass defenses last season and got CB Trevon Diggs back from his ACL tear. But the Cowboys were also missing starting CB DaRon Bland.

Matchup specifics aside, this is now the start of Watson's third season in Cleveland. He clearly needs to give fantasy managers some reason to believe in him.

A Week 2 visit to Jacksonville won't be enough to propel him into starter range in our rankings. We'll see if Watson can capitalize on a Week 3 home date with the Giants.

If he can't finish that week somewhere inside the top 10, it'll be tough for Watson to make sense the rest of the way for most fantasy leagues of 12 teams or fewer.

He's OK to drop now in many cases.

Dynasty Impact

Watson doesn't turn 29 until next weekend. His Browns contract runs through 2026. But he continues to look like a guy who has lost it.

Look for opportunities to sell Watson anytime he posts a positive fantasy outing.