Cleveland Browns

Deshaun Watson→ his ranking

Watson's final three seasons in Houston (2019–2021) were quietly excellent (a 25-22 record with two winning campaigns, a 68.7% completion rate, and 8.3 yards per attempt), even if the pass volume (32.9 attempts per game) sat below league average. His peak fantasy value arrived in 2020, when he led the NFL in passing yards (4,823) and accounted for 36 combined touchdowns. He was a legitimate rushing threat from 2018 to 2020, though an alarming sack total (62, 44, and 49 over those three seasons) was always the shadow over his game.

The Cleveland era was a slow-motion decline. In his 2022 return from suspension, Watson never found his footing (31 or fewer pass attempts in five of six starts), sub-170 passing yards in four games, and only two multi-touchdown outings. His completion rate dropped to 58.2%, and yards per attempt fell to 6.5, both significant regressions from his Houston benchmarks. 2023 was worse. Outside of one serviceable outing (305 yards and two touchdowns), Watson struggled to generate anything through the air, averaged just 5.6 yards per attempt over his first two starts, and eventually underwent shoulder surgery in late November after missing most of four games.

The 2024 season was his last starting chapter. Watson went 1-6 over seven games, failed to crack 200 passing yards in any matchup, and absorbed 33 sacks while averaging a diminished 5.3 yards per attempt. A torn Achilles in Week 7 (requiring two surgeries) ended his season and, in all likelihood, his relevance as an NFL starter.

Shedeur Sanders, Cleveland Guardians

Sanders built his college foundation at Jackson State, going 23-3 over two seasons with 6,963 passing yards, 70 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. He contributed nine rushing touchdowns on 188 carries, though his net rushing yards (156) were held down by how college football accounts for sack yardage against a quarterback's rushing totals.

The step up to Power Five competition at Colorado in 2023 came with growing pains (a 4-7 record and 3,230 passing yards), but 27 touchdowns against just three interceptions showed the decision-making held up under the increased scrutiny. He took a major leap in 2024, going 9-4 with a 74.0% completion rate, 4,134 passing yards, and a school-record 37 touchdowns against 10 interceptions. The sack totals remained a persistent issue (94 over two seasons in Boulder, including 42 in 2024), and his net rushing production across both years went negative once sack yardage was factored in.

The numbers are impressive, but context is worth examining. Sanders frequently targeted tight windows downfield and leaned heavily on his receivers to make difficult plays. Travis Hunter, Heisman winner, was the engine behind much of that production, accounting for 32.2% of Sanders' completions, 30.4% of his passing yards, and 40.5% of his touchdown throws. Replacing that dynamic at the next level won't be straightforward.

As a prospect, Sanders profiles as a pocket passer with enough athleticism to extend plays and pick up first downs with his legs. The arm strength is adequate but not elite, and there's a noticeable lag in his release when he drops back, a habit that NFL pass rushers will look to exploit. He'll also need to rein in his downfield aggression, as the tighter coverage and compressed throwing windows in the pros will demand a more disciplined, take-what-the-defense-gives-you approach.

Over his seven starts in his rookie season, Sanders went 3-4 with a dismal completion rate (56.6%) while gaining 6.6 yards per pass attempt. His winning game (364/3 with three rushing 29 yards and a score) came in Week 14 vs. the Titans. He passed for 209 yards or fewer in his other six matchups, with four touchdowns and seven interceptions. Over this span, Sanders made bigger-than-expected plays with his legs (15/124/0 – 8.3 YPC). Defenses sacked him 23 times over 212 pass attempts.

Dillon Gabriel

Gabriel spent six college seasons across three programs (UCF, Oklahoma, and Oregon) compiling a 46-17 record over 63 starts. His best season came in 2024 with the Ducks, going 13-1 with 3,857 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, six interceptions, and a career-high 72.9% completion rate on 447 attempts. He was also a factor in the run game that year, carrying 75 times for 149 yards and seven touchdowns. Gabriel was 24 in his final year in college and collected multiple Big Ten honors in 2024, including MVP, Top Offensive Player, and Quarterback of the Year. He eclipsed 25 touchdown passes in five of his six seasons, with his most prolific all-around year coming in 2023 (4,033 combined yards and 42 touchdowns).

As a passer, Gabriel operates with a deliberate, rhythmic approach, a controlled three-step drop, eyes downfield, a foot reset, then a decisive throw or extension of the play. He's notably comfortable moving left and delivering on the run, while demonstrating a strong ability to distribute the ball across a full receiver room at Oregon, where eight players caught 20 or more passes in his final year. His mobility kept drives alive and gave him added red zone value as a scoring threat on the ground.

The NFL skepticism centers on his size (5'11" and 205 lbs.) and the velocity on his deeper throws, which doesn't match the top tier of pro prospects. Deflected passes at the line of scrimmage are a real risk in the NFL, and avoiding those will be critical to his chances of sustaining drives. His only significant injury on record was a broken clavicle in 2021.

Based on his rookie completion rate (59.5%) and touchdown-to-interception ratio (7:2), Gabriel was better than Shedeur Sanders, but he gained a measly 5.1 yards per pass attempt with a losing record (1-5). His best fantasy day came in Week 10 (221 combined yards with two touchdowns). Gabriel never passed for more than 221 yards in a game, and that outcome required 52 attempts.

Quinshon Judkins→ his ranking

Judkins arrived in the NFL with a prototypical power back build (6'0" and 220 lbs.) and a 4.48 40-yard dash, nearly identical to Omarion Hampton's measurables. He opened his college career at Ole Miss with back-to-back high-volume seasons, totaling 289 and 293 touches, respectively. His freshman year was his statistical peak in Oxford (274 carries for 1,567 yards and 16 touchdowns), supplemented by 15 catches for 132 yards and a score. The running lanes tightened in year two (4.3 yards per carry and 6.8 yards per reception), but Judkins still found the end zone 17 times, underscoring his goal-line reliability.

The transfer to Ohio State in 2024 brought a national championship and a shared backfield with TreVeyon Henderson. Working in a split role, Judkins still produced (1,221 combined yards, 16 touchdowns, and 22 receptions on 216 touches). He cleared 100 rushing yards in three games (9/108/2, 14/173/2, and 11/100/2) and topped 15 carries just once all season, leaving some production on the table in a crowded offense. Across his entire college career, he found the end zone twice or more in 16 games, a finishing instinct that translates well to the NFL.

As a runner, Judkins plays with an aggressive, physical edge. He's willing to bounce outside and initiate contact rather than absorb it, using a punishing stiff arm to shed tacklers. He's at his best when daylight opens on the interior, but he reads cut-back lanes naturally and takes them without hesitation. His pass protection grades out well, and 59 college receptions for 442 yards and five touchdowns confirm he's a legitimate three-down option at the next level.

Despite his off-field issues last summer, Judkins was on the field for Week 2. He looked the part of a rising, young stud over his first four games (72/347/2 – 4.8 yards per carry with nine catches for 62 yards. From Week 6 to Week 16, the Browns gave him over 20 touches in three matchups (25/84/3, 22/75 with two catches for 10 yards, and 109 combined yards with three catches on 26 touches), with one other playable outcome (16/47/2). His season ended with two missed games due to an ankle issue.

In the early draft season in the National Fantasy Football League, Judkins is the 24th back off the table, with a fifth-round ADP (56). With a full season of games, he looks poised to get 300+ touches, suggesting about 1,200 combined yards with a chance at 10 scores and 30+ catches.

Dylan Sampson→ his ranking

Sampson spent his first two seasons at Tennessee in a part-time role, carrying 58 times for 397 yards and six touchdowns in year one, then expanding to 106 carries for 604 yards and seven touchdowns with 17 catches for 175 yards and a score in year two. The Volunteers handed him the full workload in 2024, and he delivered (1,634 combined yards, 22 touchdowns, and 20 receptions on 278 touches). He topped 100 combined yards in 11 of his first 12 starts before a hamstring injury cut his season short in the final game against Ohio State.

The athleticism is legitimate. Sampson clocked a 4.42 at Tennessee's Pro Day, putting his speed in the same conversation as the top two running back prospects in this draft class. He came to the NFL at 5'8" and 200 lbs., a compact and powerful frame that suits his running style. The concerns lie in the passing game (both as a receiver and a pass protector), where expectations should remain modest given his limited college usage and questions about his ability to pick up blitzes consistently.

As a runner, Sampson does his best work between the tackles, particularly near the goal line. He runs with patience, shows a natural feel for interior spacing, and follows his blocks effectively through to the second level. What he doesn't offer is much elusiveness in open space; the wiggle and change-of-direction moves needed to consistently beat defenders in the open field weren't on display with enough regularity. He wins with legs and instincts more than power after contact, which may define his early NFL role as a short-yardage and goal-line specialist.

Other than two games (12/29 with eight catches for 64 yards and 92 combined yards with a touchdown and two catches), Sampson was unplayable in 13 matchups in his rookie season. He gained only 2.7 yards per carry, with a higher-than-expected ceiling in the passing game (33/271/2 on 40 targets). In December, Sampson missed two games with a hand injury. Cleveland had him on the field for only 23.2% of their plays.

Jerry Jeudy→ his ranking

Jeudy closed the 2022 season on a promising note, finishing as Denver's clear top receiver over his final six games (37 catches for 523 yards and three touchdowns on 45 targets), with three standout performances (8/73/3, 6/117, and 5/154) anchoring that stretch. His full season was uneven, however, opening with four catches for 102 yards and a score before going quiet over the next five games, then battling back with a pair of strong outings before an ankle injury wiped out three weeks of production.

The Russell Wilson era in Denver never clicked for Jeudy. A hamstring issue kept him out of Week 1, and minor injuries nagged him throughout the year without ever forcing extended absences. Denver rarely looked his way (no more than seven targets in any single game), and he failed to crack 81 receiving yards in any matchup. He finished with three catches or fewer in 12 of his 16 starts, including seven such outings over the final seven weeks. His year-over-year decline was stark: 54 catches for 759 yards and five touchdowns on 87 targets, compared to 67 catches for 972 yards and six scores on 100 targets the season prior — in one fewer game.

A move to Cleveland unlocked a different version of Jeudy. He set career highs across the board (90 catches, 1,229 yards, and 145 targets), though his touchdown total (four) left fantasy managers wanting more. The first half of the season was sluggish, with just 21 catches for 266 yards and one score on 42 targets over seven starts (7.66 FPPG). The second half was a different story entirely. Cleveland targeted him 103 times over the final 10 games, and Jeudy responded with WR1 production (69 catches for 963 yards and three touchdowns at 18.33 FPPG). A career-best outing against his former team in Denver (9/235/1) headlined the run, with three other 20-plus fantasy point performances rounding out a dominant second-half stretch.

With a downgrade in quarterback play in 2025, Jeudy saw his PPR fantasy points (121.70) cut in half in one easy year. He caught only 47.2% of his 106 targets, leading to only 50 catches for 602 yards and two scores. His only playable value came in two matchups (6/78/1 on 12 targets and 3/76/1).

Despite his experience in the NFL, Jeudy has a have-not ADP (201) in the early draft season while ranking behind Conception in the National Fantasy Football Championship. My first thought is 60 catches for 750 yards and under five touchdowns.

KC Concepcion→ his ranking

Concepcion carved out a prominent role across three college seasons at NC State and Texas A&M, finishing with 185 receptions for 2,218 yards and 25 touchdowns over 38 games. His freshman year was his most prolific as a pass catcher (71 receptions and 10 touchdowns), while his receiving yard total peaked at 919 in his final season. The Wolfpack also deployed him as a legitimate ball carrier in 2024, with 41 rushes for 320 yards, and he tacked on 29 more carries for 111 yards and three scores over his final two seasons, a versatility that should translate well at the next level.

As a prospect, Concepcion fits the profile of a high-floor slot receiver who makes his living creating problems close to the line of scrimmage. His quickness off the snap, clean release against press coverage, and sharp route running make him a natural chain-mover and a reliable target in short and intermediate areas. He won't separate from the field's best corners on pure speed, but his instincts and after-catch ability more than compensate.

His emergence as a punt returner last season (25 returns for 456 yards and two touchdowns at 18.2 yards per return) adds another dimension to his value on an NFL roster. Expect him to earn scripted red zone opportunities and manufactured touches near the line of scrimmage early in his career.

Denzel Boston→ his ranking

Boston closed his college career at Washington with back-to-back steady seasons (63 catches for 834 yards and nine touchdowns in 2024, followed by 62 receptions for 881 yards and 10 scores in 2025). The most encouraging thread running through his college career was a consistent progression in yards per reception each season (7.5, 10.2, 13.2, and 14.2), suggesting a receiver who kept developing rather than plateauing. He delivered three standout performances in 2025 (6/107/2, 10/153/1, and 6/126/1), but his 2024 season faded down the stretch (2/35, 2/47, 3/43, and 3/27 over his final four games), with no touchdowns over his last six starts.

Boston profiles as a second- and third-level pass catcher who wins through physicality, strong hands, and an ability to come down with contested jump balls that most receivers can't. He'll see scripted opportunities close to the line of scrimmage, but his target ceiling will naturally sit below the elite receivers in any given offense.

At 6'4" and 210 lbs., the most fitting comparison may be an early-career Mike Evans, a big-bodied, goal-line threat with legitimate big-play ability when given a clean release. That release against press coverage is the area most in need of refinement. Once he gets past the first 10 yards off the line, however, his route running and strength become real assets that should translate well to the NFL game.

Cedric Tillman→ his ranking

The transition to Cleveland was rocky. As a rookie, Tillman converted just 21 of 44 targets for 224 yards, and a hip injury cost him three games in October. The opportunity he needed didn't arrive until Week 7 of 2024, when Cleveland traded Amari Cooper and handed him a starting role. He responded immediately with three productive outings (8/81, 7/99/2, and 6/75/1) before back-to-back quiet games (3/47 and 2/28), which preceded a season-ending concussion.

In his third season in the NFL, Tillman caught only 21 of his 39 targets for 270 yards and two touchdowns. He opened the year with a tease showing (5/52/1), followed by an active role (seven targets but only two catches for 22 yards and a touchdown). After missing four games with a hamstring issue, Tillman caught only 10 of his final 19 targets for 164 yards and no touchdowns over nine games.

Harold Fannin→ his ranking

Fannin put together one of the more impressive tight end seasons in recent college history in his third year at Bowling Green (117 catches for 1,555 yards and 10 touchdowns on 156 targets), punctuated by eight dominant outings (11/137/1, 8/145/1, 12/193/2, 9/135, 10/171, 10/137/2, 9/125/1, and 17/213/1). His production is hard to ignore, even accounting for the level of competition.

At 6'3" and 240 lbs. with a 4.70 40-yard dash, Fannin fits the profile of an undersized tight end with NFL-average speed at the position. His calling cards are exceptional hands and the ability to generate early acceleration out of his release, two traits that should translate well in the NFL. His areas that need development are his overall route running and release polish against more athletic NFL defenders. He's a legitimate threat after the catch, and his instincts near the goal line project well as he gains experience and refines his craft at the next level.

Last summer, Fannin was a TE2 riser in fantasy drafts, and he rewarded his supporters with 72 catches for 731 yards and six touchdowns on 107 targets despite splitting time with David Njoku. He finished sixth in tight end scoring (187.40) in PPR formats, with four winning games (7/81, 6/62/1, 8/114/1, and 4/34/2). Cleveland had him on the field for 73.3% of their snaps.

Andre Szmyt

Over five seasons at Syracuse, Szmyt made 85 of his 105 field goal chances (81.0%), with his best success coming in his freshman year (30-for-34 in field goals while making all 61 of his extra points).

He won the Browns’ kicking job last summer, but Szmyt fell into the unknown kicking category due to playing in a poor offense. His leg played well from 50 yards or more (5-for-6), with overall kicking success (24-for-27 in field goals). He missed one of his 26 extra points.