Cleveland

Browns

Boston continues to pick up lower-leg injuries, but last week’s calf issue did not slow him down. The Browns have begun varying Boston’s usage, no longer limiting him to high-variance downfield work. Adding short-to-intermediate opportunities only enhances his outlook. If he can play this weekend, he will be a WR3/FLEX.

Fannin played through the groin injury last week, catching two passes for 42 yards and one touchdown. All of his production came in overtime, so it is possible that the team was being mindful of his recurring issue. Regardless, Fannin’s talent keeps him firmly in the TE1 ranks every week. He is firmly on track to face the Texans this weekend.

Watson was sidelined last week against the Saints with a brain injury. He’ll back in time to face his former team as the Browns push for postseason contention in the competitive NFC North. Shedeur Sanders will revert to his backup role in Week 10 after throwing for 297 yards and two touchdowns against the Saints in an overtime loss. Watson will be a borderline fantasy option against a pass-funnel Texans defense that has allowed the third most air yards per game this season.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported earlier in the day that Deshaun Watson was expected to return as the starter, but Monken didn’t rush to name a starter when questioned on Monday. Monken praised Shedeur Sanders for his performance in Sunday’s start against the Saints, but said he hasn’t really “thought through” who will start in Week 10 against the Texans. It’s hard to imagine Monken handing the job over to Sanders after a start that was mostly forgettable until the final five minutes of regulation, even if Watson hasn’t been overly impressive this season. We would still expect Watson to get the nod against Houston, but Sanders’ late-game performance won’t do anything to quiet those looking/hoping for a change.

This shouldn’t surprise anyone after Shedeur Sanders failed to make the most of his spot start in Week 9 against the Saints. Sanders and the Browns’ offense stalled through the first three quarters of Sunday’s game before a late 64-yard touchdown pass to KC Concepcion gave the Browns their first touchdown of the day. An impressive catch-and-run score by Harold Fannin in overtime gave Sanders his second touchdown pass on the day, but the 39-yard score came on a pass, in which Fannin generated 37 yards after the catch. Watson has struggled mightily at times this season, but Sanders didn’t do enough to unseat him in what was a plus matchup against a bad defense. Now out of concussion protocol, Watson will suit up in a “revenge game” against his former team next week, where he will profile as a low-end QB2.

Szmyt nailed his third attempt, a 51-yarder to send the game into overtime. He has attempted at least three field goals in three of his past four games. Both of his misses, however, have come in the past month. Cleveland’s hit-or-miss offense makes Szmyt a risky fantasy option, but he’s hanging around the top-12 halfway through the 2026 season.

Jeudy reeled in a game-changing 30-yard pass on the Browns’ final drive of regulation. The grab eventually set up a tying field goal from Andre Szmyt. While the Browns would go on to lose in overtime, Jeudy’s catch at least gave them a shot at the win. He’s not on the fantasy radar right now, but his occasional big play should be enough to keep the Browns from trading him ahead of Tuesday’s deadline.

Like clockwork, Boston beat his man for a massive play again this week. Boston plucked a deep ball right off Kool-Aid McKinstry’s helmet and ran inside the five-yard line for a 60-yard gain early in the third quarter. It was his league-leading fourth catch of 40+ yards this year. Despite operating as a deep threat, Boston went on to lead the Browns in all receiving categories except touchdowns. Boston continues to look like a high-end boundary receiver in the mold of Tee Higgins or Mike Evans. While he’s got a long way to go to match those players, the early returns have been promising. Boston will remain a high-ceiling WR3 when he takes on the Texans next week.

Per usual, Sampson did the bulk of his damage through the air, especially in PPR leagues. He saw six targets compared to just one for Quinshon Judkins. Sampson’s role is good for a few weekly PPR points, but his lack of rushing production makes a ceiling outcome almost impossible. He’ll be a viable RB4 fantasy option when the Browns take on the Texans next week.

Judkins was hit at or behind the line of scrimmage constantly, resulting in a dreadful yards per carry of 2.9. This was particularly painful for fantasy managers when he got near the end zone. Judkins was stuffed from the one- and three-yard line on separate drives. He also ceded receiving work to Dylan Sampson. Judkins was targeted once while Sampson saw six opportunities through the air. Without receiving work to buoy his poor rushing days, Judkins is tumbling down the RB2 ranks. He’ll be on the RB2/3 border for his Week 10 matchup with the Texans.