In Week 5 on Sunday afternoon, the Cleveland Browns will visit the Washington Commanders. The spread currently stands at Commanders -3, with a game total of 44. The Browns’ implied points are 20.5, and the Commanders’ implied points are 23.5.
Here’s fantasy football start-sit advice for every Browns skill player who has the potential to make an impact during the game.
Deshaun Watson, QB
In Week 3, Deshaun Watson recorded his first multi-touchdown effort of the season (vs. Giants), and last week, he completed a season-high 75% of his passes (Weeks 1-3: 57.8%) to go along with a season-best eight carries (at Raiders).
These minor baby steps are encouraging for Superflex managers who I think can get away with starting him for a third consecutive week. The Commanders have allowed a league-high 123.3 opponent passer rating this season, a mark that is nearly 50 points ahead of Watson’s average this season.
If an 82-yard touchdown didn’t come off the board last week, I think there might be a little more talk of Watson as a threat to post a top-12 finish this week. Heck, if Amari Cooper doesn’t turn a chunk play into an interception, that might be the case.
There are a handful of QBs on this slate who I think post their best fantasy performance of the season this week (Caleb Williams and Trevor Lawrence), and Watson is certainly a part of that list.
Jerome Ford, RB
I don’t consider myself a big fan of Jerome Ford, but his role is safe, and this matchup is as good as it gets. Cleveland fed its led back the ball on three of its first four plays last week and has kept him on the field for 80% of the snaps over the past two weeks.
The per-touch efficiency can be questioned, but there is no denying his ability to rack up the touches. Whether they are handoffs, scripted passes, or garbage-time receptions, Ford’s role is safe no matter the score.
A 35-yard carry last week gave Ford a 20+ yard touch in three consecutive games. With a wide range of skills for an offense that needs all the help it can get, Ford is a strong RB2 this week and, as you’ll see in his receivers, deserves your DFS attention, especially if you think the Browns will look to keep Daniels on the sideline.
Jerome Ford gets the @Browns in the red zone!
📺: #CLEvsLV on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/D4R5mRc44O— NFL (@NFL) September 29, 2024
Amari Cooper, WR
Cleveland’s top target earner has seen 37 looks this season, and yet he has cleared 35 yards just once (7-86-2 against the Giants in Week 3). It hasn’t been for a lack of trying – Amari Cooper had an 82-yard touchdown wiped off the board due to a holding penalty and turned a chunk play into an interception after a pass was too accurate for him to come down with.
For the season, Cooper ranks sixth in air yards and seems to be on the precipice of a big performance. Could there be a better spot to come through?
WR1s against Washington:
- Week 1: Mike Evans (23.1 FP, WR6)
- Week 2: Malik Nabers (28.7 FP, WR3)
- Week 3: Ja’Marr Chase (29.8 FP, WR2)
- Week 4: Marvin Harrison Jr. (15.5 FP, WR26)
What is more likely: the Browns offense breaks out or the Washington defense finally steps up? Cooper’s profile isn’t flawless nor is it bulletproof, but I’d rather take my chances on exploiting this matchup than rolling the dice on Tyreek Hill against the Patriots or Tee Higgins against the Ravens.
Jerry Jeudy, WR
My guess is that you’re unaware of Jerry Jeudy’s involvement this season.
Players 25 or younger with 6+ targets in all four weeks:
- CeeDee Lamb
- Justin Jefferson
- Amon-Ra St. Brown
- Nico Collins
- Garrett Wilson
- Malik Nabers
- Jeudy
That’s not a bad list to be a part of. I understand that the production hasn’t been close to the elites on this list, but he’s been worse than WR31 just once this season, and that means he’s been a viable option consistently.
In September, 12.2% of receiver targets against the Commanders resulted in touchdowns (NFL average: 4.8%), making this a matchup to target with the Browns ranking fourth in pass rate over expectation thus far.
Watson’s inconsistencies under center are a concern and why I have receivers like Khalil Shakir and Jaxon Smith-Njigba ranked a touch higher than Jeudy this week, but there is some Flex appeal in this profile, and Jeduy’s name will be clicked with regularity by me in DFS this weekend.
David Njoku, TE
Update: Njoku is active, but is not expected to play a full complement of snaps.
David Njoku entered this season coming off of the best year of his career (81-882-6) and caught four of five targets in the season opener, but an ankle injury has sidelined the 28-year-old for three straight games, making this the fourth time in six seasons in which he’s logged at least three DNPs.
There is plenty of time, but you’d have to think that there is a decent chance that Njoku suits up this weekend. A four-game absence would have made an IR stint the more savvy move by the franchise to open up a roster spot.
While this wasn’t exactly potent in September, a matchup with the Commanders has a way of masking inefficiencies. There’s a good chance, due to the lack of depth at the position, Njoku will rank as a starter for me whenever he returns, which will certainly be the case if he’s cleared ahead of Sunday.