It was a mighty struggle for the Cleveland Browns offense last weekend as they scored just six points in their loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, dropping their record to 3-12. It was a tough go for the Browns on the fantasy side of things, with only two players scoring in double digits last week. Jerome Ford, who opened the game with a big run, scored 24.1 points, and tight end David Njoku had 14.6 points. Jerry Jeudy, who topped 1,000 receiving yards for the first time in his career, didn’t get many targets from new quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and had only four points. The young quarterback will start again this week after a frustrating performance last week, which left him frustrated with himself during the post-game press conference.
For the season, Jeudy remains the top scorer for the Browns as the only player over 200 points with 207.2 this year. Njoku, Jameis Winston, Jerome Ford, and Elijah Moore round out the group of players with over 100 fantasy yards on the season. Cleveland will return home this week to face a Dolphins team that still has playoff hopes needing a win over the Browns. If the Dolphins aren’t able to beat the Browns on Sunday, they will be eliminated.
The rollercoaster of ineptitude at quarterback and the offense overall has made it tough to depend on Browns players in the fantasy playoff, especially if you are playing for the championship this week and next. But that doesn’t mean they don’t have players that can replace injured stars; even with a poor showing last week, they still had someone top 20 points, which could be the difference between a win and a loss in fantasy football.
Here is this week’s Browns fantasy football start ‘em, sit ‘em as the team looks to upset Miami.
Start 'Em: Jerome Ford, RB
With the injury to Nick Chubb that landed him back on injured reserve, Jerome Ford has firmly taken hold of the team’s top running back. He has topped 100 total yards in both games the past two weeks with a touchdown in each, giving him 18.4 and 24.1 fantasy points. The Dolphins defense is underrated and playing well. Still, Ford presents a safety valve for Thompson-Robinson and should get multiple targets in addition to carries that will make him a decent FLEX option this week. He accelerates quickly when he gets into the open field and creates big plays.
Sit 'Em: Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB
It was a tough game for the second-year quarterback, who looked nervous and uncomfortable in the pocket against a Bengals defense that hasn’t been good this season. Now, he is playing a better defense that will look to put him under pressure early and often, and if they get to him early, he will get rattled. DTR has great mobility and can tuck and run, but his struggles as a passer won’t result in a good fantasy output this week. DTR couldn’t crack double-digit points in his start last week and the outlook for that happening this week isn’t good.
Start 'Em: David Njoku, TE
Last week, tight end David Njoku got 10 targets and continued his strong streak of fantasy games with his fourth double-digit performance in the last five games. Of course, three of those performances were with a different quarterback, but it is clear there is some sort of comfort in targeting the big tight end with DTR throwing the ball. Njoku is a big target, and his combination of rare athleticism makes him an easy and safe option for a quarterback who doesn’t have a ton of confidence throwing the football right now. Njoku has the seventh most points of any tight end in the NFL this year.
Sit 'Em: Jerry Jeudy, WR
Unfortunately, Jeudy didn’t get many targets last week after setting a new career high in receiving yards, topping 1,000 for the first time. He has been great, creating separation and extra yardage after the catch this year. But DTR only targeted him three times last year as it was clear the Bengals were making sure he wouldn’t beat him, putting extra guys in coverage on Jeudy. With a struggling quarterback and the likelihood that the Dolphins will also put extra guys in coverage on him this wee,k he shouldn’t be in your starting lineup this week.