analyst
Which First-Year Players Should You Draft?
Recommendations for drafting rookies in redraft leagues, including Jeremiyah Love and KC Concepcion
Harold Fannin
TE · CLE · 22 yrs · exp 1 · Bowling Green
Status
- Game status
- Active
Keep Trade Cut (SF TEP)
From latest snapshot · trend vs ~7d prior when data allows.
Value
5,209
Rank
#55
Pos rank
#6
7d trend
—
Value history (90d)
One snapshot point per calendar day (shown in your timezone).
Latest: Sep 7, 2026 · 5,209
News
Stories linked to this player — newest first.
analyst
2026 Tight Ends Blueprint | Elite Tight End vs. Punting the Position
Fantasy football tight end position analysis for the 2026 season, discussing the value of elite tight ends and the option to punt the position
analyst
Quinshon Judkins Primed for Workhorse Role
Quinshon Judkins is expected to be the workhorse in the Cleveland Browns' offense
analyst
Kyle Pitts Missing Valuable Reps as Falcons' Quarterbacks Sit Out Team Drills
sleeper-rotoballerSource ↗
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. is missing crucial practice time because both quarterbacks, Tua Tagovailoa (undisclosed) and Michael Penix Jr. (knee), are not participating in team drills this week. With both quarterbacks absent from team drills and new head coach Kevin Stefanski implementing a new offensive system, Pitts and the entire offense could face challenges if Tagovailoa and Penix are unable to get the necessary reps in camp. Despite a breakout 2025 season, Pitts struggled with Penix under center, totaling only 38 receptions for 375 yards and one touchdown in 10 games. While Stefanski's offense has favored tight ends like David Njoku and Harold Fannin Jr., crowded competition in Atlanta with Drake London, Jahan Dotson, Zachariah Branch, and Bijan Robinson could make Pitts an avoid in fantasy this season
analyst
Browns Think Quinshon Judkins "Can Play All Three Downs"
Cleveland Browns running backs coach Duce Staley said that RB Quinshon Judkins has "worked his ass off" to come back from his dislocated ankle and fractured fibula in Week 16 of his rookie campaign in 2025, according to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. "The sky is the limit ... I think that Q can play all three downs," Staley added. The 22-year-old former second-rounder from Ohio State is an emerging young RB, and although his fantasy ceiling could be limited by Cleveland's offense (especially their QB situation), Judkins is becoming a more attractive RB2 candidate for fantasy managers for what could be lots of volume. In 14 starts in his first NFL season in 2025, Judkins averaged only 3.6 yards per carry to finish with 827 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 230 carries. He added 26 receptions for 171 yards on 36 targets in the passing game. Judkins' fantasy ceiling could be limited with Dylan Sampson serving as the Browns' top pass-catching back, but it's clear Judkins' arrow is pointing up. RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 22 RB for 2026
TE · CLE
general
Harold Fannin fully cleared after offseason groin surgery
Pro Football TalkSource ↗
Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. missed all of the offseason program with an undisclosed injury. Fannin said Wednesday, via Ashley Bastock of cleveland.com, that he required surgery to repair the groin injury he sustained in Week 17. His rehab lasted 6-8 weeks, with doctors clearing him two weeks ago. Fannin is full go at training camp. He reported early to try to catch up on learning Todd Monken’s offense. In 16 games, with 13 starts, in 2025, Fannin caught 72 passes for 731 yards and six touchdowns. He also scored a rushing touchdown
general
Cleveland Browns training camp 2026: TE and FB preview, who replaces David Njoku?
Yahoo Sports NFLSource ↗
Next up on our training camp preview is the tight end position. There are fix tight ends on the roster, but after the departure of David Njoku , all we really have confidence in is Harold Fannin , who had an outstanding rookie season. Who is the next man up, though? We also check out the team’s fullback candidates heading into camp. Height: 6-4 | Weight: 241 lbs | Age: 22 Experience: 2 years | College: Bowling Green Browns fans are expecting big things from Harold Fannin this year. After his impressive rookie season with 731 yards receiving, fans are predicting him to be in the 800-1,000 yard receiving range. For some of the league’s elite tight ends, that’s not too far-fetched. In fact, Travis Kelce has done it all 11 seasons he’s been in the NFL. However, David Njoku , who was viewed as an explosive receiving tight end for Cleveland, only surpassed 800 yards once in his 9 years with the team. It’s easy to jump to that being more indicative of the Browns’ quarterback situation as opposed to the talent of the tight end himself. Nonetheless, the most important part here is that Fannin is viewed as a big-time weapon for this offense. As a rookie, he showed a nice mix of acrobatic catches and the strength to generate yards after the catch that didn’t seem like they were even there. If there’s one negative on his receiving game as a rookie, it would be that, in my opinion, he sometimes dropped the easy ones. To grow his game over time, he’ll need to be a better in-line blocking tight end. It took Njoku a few years to get to that point. For now, we’ll see how Todd Monken’s offense utilizes Fannin. Will he be kept in the slot more often like he was as a rookie, with one of the other guys on the depth chart taking on a heavier blocking role? Final Roster Odds: 100% Height: 6-4 | Weight: 250 lbs | Age: 26 Experience: 4 years | College: Wake Forest I usually try to have a loose ranking in these previews for how the depth chart or competitions may unfold, but that isn’t true for the tight end position from the second spot onward. The backup roles after Harold Fannin are wide open. But let’s try to focus back in on Blake Whiteheart here. Whiteheart was an undrafted free agent with the Arizona Cardinals in 2023, but didn’t make their roster at the end of camp in 2024. The Browns added him, and he was off-and-on the team’s practice squad that year before being a backup tight end in 2025. He had maybe one semi-memorable catch in two years with Cleveland, having 8 catches for 55 yards and 1 touchdown. He also contributed 10 tackles on special teams last year. Final Roster Odds: 40% Height: 6-4 | Weight: 245 lbs | Age: 28 Experience: 6 years | College: Nebraska Jack Stoll was an undrafted free agent in 2021, and spent the first three years of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles . After that, he’s tried to find a home with the Giants, Dolphins, and Saints . He is not much of a receiving tight end — last year with the Saints, he started 4 games, but had 6 catches for 46 yards and 1 touchdown. Prior to that, his highest receiving totals was in 2022, when he had 11 catches for 123 yards. Stoll has been relied on as a blocking tight end, and the expectation is that he’ll fill that same void in Cleveland. According to Pro Football Focus, Stoll was a Top-15 pass blocking tight end in 2025. It’s not unheard of for career blocking tight ends to see a bigger receiving role, but we’re assuming he won’t be the complementary receiving tight end to Harold Fannin — but he could be the lead candidate for the blocking role. Final Roster Odds: 75% Height: 6-5 | Weight: 250 lbs | Age: 24 Experience: Rookie | College: Cincinnati If there’s a top candidate for the complementary receiving tight end, it might be rookie Joe Royer . He finished out his college career with Cincinnati, but played several seasons at Ohio State, so many fans will be familiar with him. Taken in the fifth round of this year’s draft , Dane Brugler had him as the 12th-ran [... truncated ...]
general
Cleveland Browns offseason: 5 offseason moves to be positive about
Yahoo Sports NFLSource ↗
The Cleveland Browns have been mostly a disappointment for the better part of the past 25 years. The franchise has made the playoffs just three times and won just one postseason game since returning to the NFL in 1999. The Browns have had 19 seasons with double-digit losses, posted just the second 0-16 season in league history, and had so many starting quarterbacks and head coaches that it can be hard to remember them at times. This season may be another rough one with a young team led by a first-time head coach and still searching for a quarterback. If the oddsmakers are correct , and they generally are, the 2026 season could bring the number of double-digit losses to an even 20. But there will be plenty of time in the fall to talk about frustrating losses, bad quarterback play, and puzzling coaching decisions. The summer is a time for optimism as training camp brings exciting new players and a renewed hope that this year it may be different. In that spirit, here are five positives from the offseason that should fill the hearts of even the grinchiest Browns fan with a little bit of happiness. The Browns needed to do something about an underperforming wide receiver room, and general manager Andrew Berry wasted no time in selecting KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston. The situation was the same for an aging and injured offensive line, so welcome to Cleveland, Spencer Fano, Austin Barber, and Parker Brailsford . Will all the moves pan out? The history of the NFL says probably not. But Berry recognized the need and used the draft to tackle the problem, so, for now, that is good enough to make the list. The new draft class joins running back Quinshon Judkins , defensive tackle Mason Graham , linebacker Carson Schwesinger , and tight end Harold Fannin Jr. from the productive 2025 class to give the Browns a promising foundation of young players to build on. If Concepcion, Boston and Fano are anywhere as good as those second-year players, the Browns should be set up nicely once they finally fix the quarterback situation. (Hopefully, as soon as 2027, because it won’t be this year.) The decision to trade defensive end Myles Garrett was understandable, even if it was still disappointing. But insisting that the Los Angeles Rams include Verse in the trade takes some of the sting out, as the Browns will see an immediate return this fall. Verse may not be a force multiplier like Garrett – no one in the NFL is – but adding the 2024 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and a player with 99 quarterback pressures in two seasons is something that several teams would have liked to do in the offseason. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz packed up his playbook and went home after the Browns made the correct choice to bypass him for the head coaching role. In his place steps Rutenberg, who will use more zone blitzes to pressure the quarterback , and with the addition of Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, more three-safety looks to keep opposing offenses guessing. There is no debating that the Browns have the worst quarterback room in the NFL . But as bad as it will be, it could have been worse if Berry had made the mistake of bringing in an aging veteran like Kirk Cousins or Geno Smith , a reclamation project like Justin Fields or Anthony Richardson, or signing a free agent like Malik Willis . None of those players, or any of the other quarterbacks who were available for very obvious reasons, were going to help or be the long-term answer the team needs. It is going to be ugly at times; what else is new, but the Browns need to take their lumps for one more season and then approach the quarterback position in the 2027 NFL Draft. What do you say, Browns fans? Are these true positives or fool’s gold? Have your say in the comments!
general
Position Battles That Matter for Fantasy in Training Camp: QB/RB
By this time next week, all 32 NFL teams will have reported to training camp for the 2026 season. Camp content flooding the internet is a major indicator that fantasy football drafts are right around the corner. Before we start building championship rosters, it’s important to monitor training camp battles at each position for certain teams in order to get a grasp on the value of certain players. Let’s look at some key quarterback and running back training camp battles that are the most relevant for fantasy football purposes. Candidates: Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel Baker Mayfield in 2020 is the last time the Browns have had one quarterback start every game in a single season. Aside from Mayfield, Cleveland has had 12 different quarterbacks start at least one game over the last five seasons. That includes Deshaun Watson , Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel , all of whom will compete for the starting job in 2026, as well. New head coach Todd Monken did preview this training camp battle during OTAs stating that the Browns had “two starting-level quarterbacks,” referring to Watson and Sanders. To be blunt, it’s difficult to get excited about either of the two and, as a result, any of the pass catchers in Cleveland. Watson is returning from two Achilles tears in October 2024 and January 2025. Sanders started seven games last season, averaging just 193.2 passing yards per game. The Browns did draft KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston with the 24 th and 39 th picks, respectively, but Jerry Jeudy did draw 106 targets last season and, as of now, is still on the team. Harold Fannin Jr. had one of the greatest rookie seasons ever for a tight end, recording a 72/731/6 receiving line on 107 targets. He is probably the safest pick regardless of which quarterback is out there for the Browns. Fannin no longer has to compete with David Njoku for snaps. He also averaged 13.5 PPR points per game with Sanders at quarterback, compared to 10.5 points per game with a combination of Gabriel and Joe Flacco . Candidates: Fernando Mendoza, Kirk Cousins Las Vegas has a new face of the franchise in quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. However, they signed veteran Kirk Cousins just a few weeks before selecting Mendoza. This is significant especially in consideration to minority owner Tom Brady ’s opinion on rookie quarterbacks. He’s on record back in 2024 expressing his thoughts that it’s “a tragedy that we’re forcing these rookies to play early.” There’s really no reason for Mendoza to take the field as a rookie. Las Vegas is still a work in progress in regard to legitimately competing with the Chiefs, Chargers and Broncos in the AFC West. The Raiders also don’t have much beyond Brock Bowers in the passing game. Tre Tucker , Jalen Nailor and Jack Bech top the depth chart at wide receiver. So, while there is still an opportunity at a training camp battle between Mendoza and Cousins, it’s likely the latter who is out there in Week 1. Based on what we saw now Vegas head coach, but then Seattle offensive coordinator, Klint Kubiak, do with the Seahawks’ offense last season, Bowers and Ashton Jeanty are still priority picks for fantasy football even if Cousins starts the entirety of the season. Falcons candidates: Tua Tagovailoa, Michael Penix Jr. Vikings candidates: Kyler Murray, J.J. McCarthy Tua Tagovailoa is owed $54 million in guaranteed money this season. However, the Miami Dolphins are on the hook for just over $52 million of it following his release. Meanwhile, the Falcons, who signed Tua to a one-year deal, paid just $1.215 million to do so. It’s a bargain for a team in desperate need of someone to support a star-studded group of offensive playmakers that includes Bijan Robinson , Drake London and Kyle Pitts Sr. While there may appear to be a training camp battle between Tua and Michael Penix Jr., it’s hard to imagine Penix as the Week 1 starter after tearing his ACL last November; the third of [... truncated ...]
TE · CLE
general
Cleveland Browns news: A promising core, championship memories
Yahoo Sports NFLSource ↗
This article looks back at the Cleveland Browns' offseason moves, highlights positive decisions, and discusses the team's young core as perceived by NFL executives. It also touches on the 1964 championship team and previews the upcoming training camp, including expectations for tight end Harold Fannin Jr. and the outlook for the offensive line and defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg's unit
general
Daily Dawg Chow: Speculating on possible trade values
Who on the roster would bring back a 1st-round pick in a trade? (Thomas Moore) – “You make the call as general manager: which players currently on the Cleveland Browns roster would bring back at least one first-round draft pick in a trade?” Cleveland Browns training camp 2026: WR preview, Part 1 – Suddenly loaded with options? (Chris Pokorny) – “Next up on our Cleveland Browns training camp preview is the wide receiver position. It was one of the most ridiculed positions on the team last year, with many saying it was the worst group in football. Heading into this year’s camp, though, we’re mostly debating who the No. 4 receiver should be. Is that a good thing?” Sophomore Slump: Can Browns LB Carson Schwesinger repeat his rookie success? (Barry Shuck) – “Now that linebacker Carson Schwesinger is the darling of 2025, he is gearing up for the upcoming season. He is coming in with a sense of excitement to prove his worth and value and has familiarity, having played a year at the next level.” What are the expectations for TE Harold Fannin in year two? Browns Reacts Survey (Chris Pokorny) – “As we continue our Reacts polls leading up to Cleveland Browns training camp, now we focus on the team’s most potent weapon on offense last year: tight end Harold Fannin.” So, we meet again, Mr. Bond! Cleveland Browns 2026 training camp position preview: Quarterbacks (Beacon Journal) – “The biggest battle of training camp will be Deshaun Watson vs. Shedeur Sanders to be the starting quarterback entering the 2026 season. The likelihood this is settled before the end of August feels slim, just because of the format of the preseason.” Browns fans feel new hope ahead of 2026 training camp thanks to 3 main reasons (cleveland.com) – “Over the last two seasons of three and five wins, Cleveland Browns fans haven’t had much to feel optimistic about. Is that tide finally turning?” Assessing the Browns’ linebackers heading into the 2026 season (clevelandbrowns.com) – “The Cleveland Browns linebacker room is anchored by the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year in Carson Schwesinger and a new veteran in Quincy Williams , who has experience working with defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg.” New public group to own new Browns stadium (Fox 8) – “Brook Park City Council approved the creation of a new community authority to own and manage the Cleveland Browns new stadium complex now under construction. At a public hearing, some residents had questions about the authority.” Execs, coaches, scouts rank top NFL safeties for 2026 (ESPN) – “Modern safeties are versatile, and teams are deploying them in different parts of the field with frequency. The latest trend in the NFL is utilizing a safety with size as a “big nickel,” putting them in the slot to disrupt closer to the line of scrimmage. That has worked for the Baltimore Ravens thanks to the No. 1-ranked player at the position, and the Seattle Seahawks perfected it with a rookie who is almost a hybrid linebacker/safety.” Seahawks’ Mike Macdonald doesn’t ‘care’ about NFC West moves, feels no different after Super Bowl title (NFL.com) – “Mike Macdonald’s mentality hasn’t changed after raising a Lombardi Trophy in Seattle. The Seahawks coach simply endeavors to get the most out of his players each year.” Why A.J. Brown is the Patriots’ most intriguing player as they eye Super Bowl return (The Athletic) – “When the massive trade finally landed, and A.J. Brown was at long last a member of the New England Patriots, it didn’t feel like a huge blockbuster. That was in part because Myles Garrett was sent to the Los Angeles Rams on the same day and because Brown going to the Patriots felt inevitable for weeks. But that doesn’t diminish the significance of the trade.”
general
Cleveland Browns news (7/15): Safeties. Visors. And training camp tix.
Browns training camp ticket availability announced, registration opens Wednesday (Jared Mueller) – Time for Cleveland Browns training camp is coming quickly, with ticket availability opening on Wednesday. Browns fans set low expectations for Jerry Jeudy (Chris Pokorny) – Browns fans are not high on Jerry Jeudy heading into the season. Browns roster: Safety depth chart and expectations (Thomas Moore) – Cleveland’s top three safeties are set for the moment. But how will the rest of the unit’s depth look in 2026? Browns: Veteran QB schooled rookies on substance over style (Thomas Moore) – Netflix series reveals Joe Flacco having some fun with Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel about life in the NFL. Can Harold Fannin Jr. build on record-setting rookie year with Browns? (Beacon Journal) – The breakout star of the Browns offense in 2025 was tight end Harold Fannin Jr. Can Todd Monken revive the Browns offense and field a winning team in his 1st year? (cleveland.com) – As Browns mandatory minicamp came to a close on June 11, Notorious B.I.G. blared over the loudspeakers to cap an afternoon full of bangers. Looking at the Browns’ defensive line ahead of the 2026 season (clevelandbrowns.com) – The Browns made a major change to their defensive line during the offseason with the blockbuster trade of Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams . So, who among the defensive linemen will take a step forward this season? 2026 NFL season: New coach-player scheme pairings to watch (ESPN) – Today’s NFL has more offseason movement than ever, and with that movement comes an abundance of new coach-player pairings. Half of the league has a new offensive playcaller this year, which in turn puts many incumbent playmakers in reimagined roles. Cowboys edge rusher suspended for the first 3 games of the year (Blogging the Boys) – A short time before training camp opens up for the Dallas Cowboys , we do have some roster related news as the NFL announced that reserve defensive edge rusher Charles Snowden has been suspended for the first three games of the NFL season. What can Patriots QB Drake Maye do for an encore after near-MVP season? (The Athletic) – It’s easy to forget or discount after their disappointing showing in the Super Bowl, but the New England Patriots produced the NFL’s best offense last season. They ranked No. 1 in expected points added per play, No. 1 in EPA per dropback, No. 1 in passing success rate, No. 1 in explosive play percentage, and second in points per game and yards per play
analyst
Is Deshaun Watson Worth Drafting in 2026 Superflex Leagues?
Deshaun Watson faces a battle for the starting QB job in Cleveland against Shedeur Sanders. Watson's career has been hampered by injuries and off-field issues, and he missed the entire 2025 season. Despite low expectations and a QB32 ADP, he could offer value as a third quarterback in superflex leagues if he wins the job and stays healthy in Todd Monken's offense
general
Cleveland Browns news (7/11): QB decisions and 100-catch guys
Yahoo Sports NFLSource ↗
The Cleveland Browns' quarterback competition between Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson is a major focus, with the starter likely to be decided after joint practices and the second preseason game. Tight end Harold Fannin is expected to have a breakout season, potentially reaching 100 catches. Rookie running back Quinshon Judkins aims to build on a promising start before a leg injury derailed his season. The team also boasts a strong offensive line with new coaching and a promising outlook for first-round draft pick Spencer Fano
TE · CLE
general
Amarius Mims makes PFF’s All-Breakout Team for 2026
Yahoo Sports NFLSource ↗
Amarius Mims looks like a long-term pillar of the Cincinnati Bengals’ offensive line. And Pro Football Focus’ Bradley Locker agrees. He named Mims to his All-Breakout Team for 2026 . The analyst said Mims was raw coming out of Georgia but is quickly realizing his potential. Here’s what Locker wrote: Mims’ second season in Cincinnati was decent on the surface with a 67.6 overall PFF grade, finishing with no higher than a 66.6 mark in both pass- and run-blocking. But Mims really hit his stride in the second half of 2025, earning an 81.0 overall grade from Weeks 12-18. In those seven weeks, Mims didn’t give up a sack and produced a 76.6 PFF run-blocking score. Locker added that the entire o-line of Cincinnati returning this year will only help Mims’ development further. The other breakout players projected in the AFC North are tight end Harold Fannin Jr. for the Cleveland Browns, guard Mason McCormick of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and linebacker Teddye Buchanan of the Baltimore Ravens. Speaking of linebackers, the Bengals still need to add a veteran to that position group. We discussed that in our most recent show
analyst
Is Quinshon Judkins Undervalued by Current Redraft ADP?
Quinshon Judkins may be undervalued in current redraft ADP due to his safe production floor and potential for increased efficiency in 2026
general
KC Concepcion thinks the Browns' wide receiver group can be dangerous
Yahoo Sports NFLSource ↗
The Browns are still sorting out who their quarterback will be in Week 1, but they have a better sense of who will be catching passes from either Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders . First-round pick KC Concepcion, second-round pick Denzel Boston and free agent acquisition Tylan Wallace joined Jerry Jeudy , Cedric Tillman and Isaiah Bond in the wide receiver group this offseason. That makes for a much deeper group than the team was working with during the 2025 season and Concepcion said on NFL Network recently that he believes it has the potential to be a potent one as well. "I think that this new wide receiver room, it can be dangerous ," Concepcion said. "Everybody complements each other. Everybody is a different receiver." Tight end Harold Fannin was the team's leader in receptions and receiving yards last season while Jeudy was the only wideout with more than 21 catches. The offseason moves show a desire to change things in 2026 and Concepcion thinks the team is on the right track
general
KC Concepcion thinks the Browns' wide receiver group can be dangerous
Pro Football TalkSource ↗
The Browns are still sorting out who their quarterback will be in Week 1, but they have a better sense of who will be catching passes from either Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders. First-round pick KC Concepcion, second-round pick Denzel Boston and free agent acquisition Tylan Wallace joined Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman and Isaiah Bond in the wide receiver group this offseason. That makes for a much deeper group than the team was working with during the 2025 season and Concepcion said on NFL Network recently that he believes it has the potential to be a potent one as well. “I think that this new wide receiver room, it can be dangerous ,” Concepcion said. “Everybody complements each other. Everybody is a different receiver.” Tight end Harold Fannin was the team’s leader in receptions and receiving yards last season while Jeudy was the only wideout with more than 21 catches. The offseason moves show a desire to change things in 2026 and Concepcion thinks the team is on the right track
general
NFL offseason power rankings: No. 29 Cleveland Browns start over again after trading Myles Garrett
Regardless of whether you think the Cleveland Browns did well with the Myles Garrett trade , it should've been a moment of self-reflection for the franchise. And that look in the mirror couldn't have been reassuring. The Browns drafted one of the best defensive players in NFL history when they took Garrett first overall in 2017. He has surpassed his peers and should be compared to players such as Lawrence Taylor, Reggie White, Bruce Smith and others at that historic level. Garrett's record-setting, 23-sack season put him in that echelon. And the Browns had practically no team success with him in nine seasons: two playoff appearances, one postseason victory, no division titles. They went 54-79-1 in games Garrett played. He overlapped one season with Joe Thomas, a Hall of Fame offensive tackle who never made the playoffs in 11 Browns seasons. Resetting and rebuilding are always tough, but at least they usually lead somewhere. Not in Cleveland. The latest version of starting over now includes one of the biggest trades in NFL history. Garrett was sent to the Los Angeles Rams for defensive end and 2025 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse , a first-round draft pick in 2027, a second-round pick in 2028 and a third-round pick in 2029. That's a lot in return. But will the Browns take advantage of it? History says no. There's a reason Garrett made a trade request in 2025. Maybe this time will be different. There's a decent foundation being built, though the team's indefinite quest to find a quarterback looms over everything. Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2026 NFL season A strong 2025 NFL Draft haul injected more talent into the roster. Last year's rookie class got strong contributions from defensive tackle Mason Graham , linebacker and NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Carson Schwesinger , running backs Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson , and tight end Harold Fannin Jr. The Browns also picked up an extra 2026 first-round pick in a trade down with the Jacksonville Jaguars . Despite all those good vibes and one of the better defenses in the NFL led by one of the all-time great individual seasons in league history, the Browns finished 5-12 and don't have much hope to be much better this season. We all know why, and it's a familiar story. The Browns had a hideous offense last season due to miserable quarterback play. They were 32nd in offensive DVOA , passer rating, passing yards per play, offensive success rate and passing EPA ( expected points added ) per play, and they were 31st in overall EPA per play. Their passer rating as a team was 69.9, an incredibly low mark in the modern NFL. Only three other teams were below 80, and nobody else was below 75. And now the Browns seem to believe their best solution might be a veteran whom they already publicly said was a mistake. In March 2025, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam seemingly threw in the towel on Deshaun Watson, who has the dubious combination of being the centerpiece of the worst trade in NFL history and signing the worst contract in NFL history. "We took a big swing-and-miss with Deshaun," Haslam said in 2025. "We thought we had the quarterback. We didn't, and we gave up a lot of draft picks to get him. So we've got to dig ourselves out of that hole." Watson didn't play a game last season, but late last year, the Browns started pushing the idea of him starting in 2026. That has played out in minicamp, with Watson and Shedeur Sanders battling for QB1 while Dillon Gabriel also lingers in the competition. Watson has been a stunning bust for the Browns since their huge 2023 trade and his fully guaranteed, $230 million deal; he has been arguably the worst quarterback in the NFL over that time. That the Browns, after saying trading for him was a mistake, would entertain the idea of turning back to him says they are impossibly desperate — or don't really grasp the concept of a "sunk cost." The only logical conclusion from the Browns playing Watson an [... truncated ...]
TE · CLE
general
Cleveland Browns LB makes his debut on NFL’s Top 100 list
Yahoo Sports NFLSource ↗
Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger wasted little time in letting the NFL know he was a player who deserved their attention. A second-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, Schwesinger had eight tackles, including one tackle for loss, in his debut against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1. He posted the first of nine games with double-digit tackles in Week 3 against the Cincinnati Bengals. When the season came to a close, the stat sheet revealed that Schwesinger led all rookies in tackles (146, also the most by a Cleveland rookie since the franchise’s return in 1999) and tackles for loss (11). He also found time to intercept two passes, which tied him for third among all rookies. The league took notice and named Schwesinger the Defensive Rookie of the Year, joining linebacker Chip Banks (1982) as the only Cleveland players to win the award. This week, Schwesinger added another honor as he came in at No. 93 on the annual NFL Top 100 list, as voted on by his fellow players. According to NFL.com : A 2025 second-round pick who turned in a sensational first season, Schwesinger became the first AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year for the Browns since Chip Banks in 1982. Schwesigner was the leading tackler for a Cleveland defense that ranked fourth in yards allowed. With Myles Garrett traded to the Rams , Schwesinger and pass rusher Jared Verse will now be looked on to lead the Browns for years to come. The UCLA product is off to a phenomenal start so far. Schwesinger’s 57 run stops were eighth in the NFL and first among rookies. Schwesinger is the first Cleveland player on the list, and it will be interesting to see if anyone else makes the cut. Myles Garrett, now with the Los Angeles Rams, will certainly be on the list, and cornerback Denzel Ward should have a shot. After that, it gets pretty slim. Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. had a nice rookie season, but he may not have done enough. Perhaps the rest of the league has bought the hype and will add quarterback Shedeur Sanders , which would be something else. The NFL Top 100 will continue, with two players revealed each day at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. EST through August 21. Then the Top 10 players will be revealed each weekday at 10 a.m. EST from August 24 through September 24
Data comes from cached Sleeper and KTC snapshots. Values update when the sync jobs run.