RADIO
Deshaun Watson Not a Trustworthy Streamer in Single-QB Leagues
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has had an encouraging start to the 2026 season compared to the rest of his tenure in Cleveland, coming in at QB20 (minimum three games played) with 15.6 fantasy points per game so far. This puts him firmly in the conversation as a starter in two QB leagues. He passed for seven touchdowns in the first five weeks, but has since slowed down, scoring only one touchdown in the last three, and it was rushing. In Weeks 7 and 8, Watson passed for 308 and 324 yards, respectively, but the passing touchdowns did not come. The Browns' Week 9 opponent, the New Orleans Saints, allow the ninth-most passing yards per game (249.7 yards) and have given up 11 passing touchdowns in their 8 games. Watson has the opportunity to bounce back after his lackluster fantasy outing last week, especially if he tacks on some rushing yards, as he has done in multiple games this year. Fantasy managers looking for a solid option in two-QB leagues can look towards Watson, but 1-QB league managers are better off searching for a different streaming option.
Source: Fantasy Points Data
Source: Fantasy Points Data
Dylan Sampson Offers PPR Value Without Lead-Back Workload
Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson is worth targeting in 12-team PPR leagues, although his fantasy appeal comes primarily from receiving opportunities rather than rushing volume. RotoBaller lists him at 17% rostered, and he has caught nine of 11 targets for 94 yards in two games since returning from injured reserve. Sunday's 27-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers highlighted the distinction between Sampson's role and Quinshon Judkins' responsibilities. Sampson played 39 offensive snaps (56%) and caught six passes for 62 yards, but received only one carry. Judkins, meanwhile, handled 11 rushing attempts despite playing fewer snaps (27, 39%). Cleveland spent much of the afternoon trailing, which contributed to Sampson's increased involvement in the passing game. He has also rushed seven times for 52 yards since returning, providing some additional production beyond his receiving work. Sampson offers immediate PPR flex potential and valuable backfield insurance, but his workload against the New Orleans Saints in Week 9 will depend heavily on game script.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Harold Fannin Jr. Does Most of the Heavy Lifting in Week 8 Loss
On a day in which the Cleveland Browns only scored six points and quarterback Deshaun Watson threw for 324 yards in a Week 8 loss to the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers, tight end Harold Fannin Jr. was the only offensive skill player for the Browns to thrive. Fannin led the team in receptions (10), targets (12), and receiving yards (154) for a career-best day while averaging a healthy 15.4 yards per catch. With the strong performance, Fannin is now quietly the overall TE5 in half-PPR scoring with 35 receptions on 51 targets for 411 yards and three touchdowns. Only Trey McBride, Brock Bowers, Isaiah Likely, and George Kittle have been more productive so far in 2026 at the tight end position in fantasy. The only negative aspect of the 22-year-old's game on Sunday in Pittsburgh was his lost fumble, but fantasy managers were not complaining at all. The game script in the Steel City definitely helped Fannin's cause this weekend, but he will remain a strong TE1 option for fantasy managers in Cleveland's Week 9 road outing against the New Orleans Saints, who will be coming off their bye.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Quinshon Judkins Loses Receiving Work in Rough Week 8 Showing
Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins was one of many players on his team to disappoint in Week 8, recording just 49 yards from scrimmage on 13 touches in Cleveland's 27-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Judkins came into the game off his best performance of the season, logging 104 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on 18 touches against the Tennessee Titans in Week 7. However, the Browns fell behind early on Sunday against Pittsburgh, leading to a pass-heavy game script. As a result, Cleveland leaned heavily on top pass-catching back Dylan Sampson, who hauled in six catches for 62 yards on eight targets. With Sampson in the mix in the Cleveland backfield, Judkins' fantasy floor is low in games where the Browns are forced to turn to the air.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Deshaun Watson Returns to Game vs. Steelers
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (head) returned to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers after briefly exiting in the first quarter for a concussion check, according to Kelsey Russo, an associate editor and staff writer for the Browns. Shedeur Sanders replaced Watson while he was out. On the first drive following Watson's return, he was strip-sacked by Pittsburgh linebacker Patrick Queen, and the ball was recovered by Pittsburgh defensive lineman Keeanu Benton, which eventually led to a touchdown for the Steelers.
Source: Kelsey Russo - Cleveland Browns
Source: Kelsey Russo - Cleveland Browns
Deshaun Watson Headed to Medical Tent for Concussion Check
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (head) is heading to the medical tent after a roughing-the-passer call on Pittsburgh Steelers safety Jaquan Brisker in Week 8, according to The Athletic's Mike DeFabo. Scott Petrak of The Chronicle-Telegram and Medina Gazette adds that the referees sent Watson to the sideline for concussion evaluation. Shedeur Sanders is now in at quarterback for the Browns. Watson's status will need to be monitored moving forward.
Source: Mike DeFabo - The Athletic
Source: Mike DeFabo - The Athletic
Dylan Sampson Merely a RB Handcuff as Browns Face Steelers
In his first game back from Injured Reserve due to a knee injury in the Week 7 win over the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson played 46% of the offensive snaps and had six carries for 45 yards (7.5 yards per attempt) and caught all three of his targets for 32 yards as a receiver. It was an extremely efficient showing, but Sampson's lack of volume as the change-of-pace option behind starter Quinshon Judkins will make him hard to trust as a deep-league RB3/flex option in PPR formats in the team's difficult road matchup in Week 8 on Sunday against the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers have allowed only 17.7 half-PPR fantasy points to the running back position per game this year through the first seven weeks of the season. The 22-year-old Sampson was on Cleveland's injury report this week with the knee injury that he continues to manage, but he was fully cleared on Friday and will suit up behind Judkins again on Sunday. His efficiency was nice last weekend against the Titans, but fantasy managers should not count on that repeating itself on Sunday in the Steel City. Sampson is ranked as the No. 41 fantasy RB at RotoBaller in Week 8.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Denzel Boston is Losing Value with Inconsistent Play
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Denzel Boston is hopeful for better results after two straight poor performances. Over his last two games, Boston has been held to four receptions for 47 receiving yards with zero touchdowns. Boston has been one of the best deep ball threats this season, but quarterback Deshaun Watson has struggled to connect with Boston lately. It won't be easy for Boston against the Steelers defense, which ranks as the 11th-best defense against the pass coming into Week 8. The rookie wideout hauled in four receptions for 89 yards during their first meeting in Week 4. Boston is ranked as Rotoballer's WR29 and should be a solid flex play for Week 8.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Andre Szmyt Is A Good Kicker Option in Week 8
Cleveland Browns kicker Andre Szmyt can be counted on as a starting kicker option for fantasy teams in Week 8 at the Pittsburgh Steelers. Szmyt is 14-of-16 on field goals this season and 11-of-12 on extra points. Szmyt has a season-long field goal of 56 yards, which he made against Pittsburgh in Week 4. Szmyt had a good performance against the Steelers in the first matchup, making 2-of-2 field goals and 3-of-3 extra points. The matchup at Pittsburgh should be fairly high scoring, giving Szmyt the opportunity to convert on some field goals and extra points. Szmyt has entered the circle of trusted fantasy kickers and can be counted on this week.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Harold Fannin Jr. Could Be Counted On In Week 8
Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. saw a season-high nine targets in Week 7's win over the Titans and will look to stay involved in Week 8 at the Pittsburgh Steelers. Fannin Jr. caught six passes for 91 yards against the Titans last week but did not find the end zone. He has three touchdowns on the season including one receiving touchdown in the first meeting between the Browns and Steelers. He caught three catches for 27 yards against the Steelers in Week 4. Fannin Jr.'s involvement in the passing game has been hit or miss this season and he has performed to some highs and lows so far. He caught two touchdown passes against the Panthers in Week 3, but caught one pass against both the Jets and Ravens in Weeks 5 and 6 respectively. If Fannin Jr. can find some consistency, he should be one of the top fantasy tight end options. With the Steelers secondary potentially making things tough for Browns wide receivers, Fannin Jr. could find some room to make some plays this week.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
KC Concepcion Jr. Looks To Build Off Career Game
Cleveland Browns wide receiver KC Concepcion Jr. had the best game of his career in Week 7's win over the Titans with eight catches on 10 targets for 129 receiving yards and no touchdowns. Concepcion Jr. has yet to find the end zone this season and will face a tough Steelers' secondary in Week 8. In the first meeting between the two teams, Concepcion Jr. had five catches for 64 receiving yards on eight targets. The rookie out of Texas A&M is up to 30 catches this season for 315 yards, good for 10.5 yards per catch. Concepcion Jr. will look to build on his last outing and could be matched up with Jalen Ramsey a lot as Ramsey is the nickel corner for the Steelers and Concepcion Jr. often lines up in the slot. Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson seems to be building trust in Concepcion Jr. as the weeks go on. The next step is for Concepcion Jr. to find the end zone. It's hard to trust Concepcion Jr. as a starting receiver until he puts back-to-back solid weeks together.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Denzel Boston Looks For Breakthrough In Week 8
Cleveland Browns rookie wide receiver Denzel Boston has had two poor performances in a row over the past two weeks against the Ravens and Titans, respectively, and will look to bounce back against a good Steelers' secondary in Week 8. Boston caught four passes on seven targets when the Browns hosted the Steelers earlier this season but didn't find the end zone. Boston has just four catches in the past two games combined in a bit of a dry spell. He is still averaging 22.3 yards per reception this season, however, and has three receiving touchdowns. Boston has emerged as the big-play threat in the passing game for the Browns, but lately he and quarterback Deshaun Watson have struggled to connect on the deep ball. Boston will be covered by Jamel Dean, Asante Samuel Jr., and potentially by Jalen Ramsey on a few plays. The matchup is a tough one for a rookie wide receiver, but he showed he could handle it alright in the first meeting between the two teams. Look for Boston to be a boom-or-bust option in Week 8, and he should have a good game if he can connect on a deep ball or two.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Quinshon Judkins Holds Good Value in Week 8
Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins is coming off of his best fantasy game in Week 7 against the Titans when he rushed 17 times for 96 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. Judkins shredded the Titans defense for 5.6 yards per carry and capitalized with multiple rushing touchdowns for the first time this season. Week 8's matchup against the Steelers should be a tough one for Judkins who will look to carry his momentum into Pittsburgh. The Steelers rank No. 7 in rush defense, allowing just 91.0 rushing yards per game with just four rushing touchdowns allowed all season. Judkins performed pretty well in the first matchup between the Browns and Steelers, rushing 17 times for 53 yards and a rushing touchdown and catching six passes for 43 receiving yards. Despite Judkins' tough matchup on the road, he holds good fantasy value and should be able to post some solid returns this week. Start Judkins with confidence as a high-end RB2.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Deshaun Watson Not Looking Like Front-Line Starting QB
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson looks to be on the low end of starting quarterbacks for fantasy in his Week 8 matchup at the Pittsburgh Steelers. Watson has led the Browns to 5-2 overall record but his fantasy numbers leave something to be desired this season. Watson was 25-of-36 passing in Week 7's win over the Titans with 308 passing yards and an interception without a touchdown. He did rush three times for 19 yards and a rushing touchdown. Although he didn't find the end zone passing the ball, it was one of Watson's better games through the air. He will likely find things tougher this week against the Steelers' defense, which ranks 11th against the pass allowing 212.7 passing yards per game with just seven passing touchdowns allowed this season. In the first meeting against Pittsburgh at home, Watson finished with 268 passing yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Watson will hope to keep up his positive play in a key road matchup. Matching up with the likes of Jamel Dean, Asante Samuel Jr., and Jalen Ramsey, Watson looks like a bottom tier starting quarterback this week. If you have other options you may want to start them over Watson this week.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Harold Fannin Jr. Turning the Corner After Six-Catch Performance?
Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. is trending up in fantasy football after an impressive Week 7 performance. Fannin made an enormous impact as a rookie last year, and although he started this season strong, he cooled off in Weeks 5 and 6. Now, he's back on track after catching six of nine targets for 91 yards last Sunday. The Browns have plenty of solid weapons on offense, but Fannin seems to have solidified himself as one of quarterback Deshaun Watson's preferred targets, especially after Week 7. Plus, although his productivity briefly dipped, his usage was never affected; he has played at least 82% of the snaps in every game this season. Fannin is firmly entrenched as a low-end TE1 with additional upside. He'll look to remain productive, starting with Week 8 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. In his last outing against Pittsburgh, Fannin tallied 27 yards and a touchdown.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
