Deshaun Watson was named the Cleveland Browns starter on Monday by head coach Todd Monken. Monken said, “This is where we’re starting” when talking about the ultimate decision to name Watson as the starting quarterback against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1.
The decision made by the Browns to go with Deshaun Watson is not a huge surprise. The quarterback has yet to have a real, consistent, and productive stint with the team since signing in March of 2022 on a 5-year, $230 million fully guaranteed deal. The organization still hopes to get a chunk of return on the big investment in Deshaun Watson, with the team struggling in last place of the AFC North three out of the last four seasons.
Deshaun Watson: How Does He Impact The Other Browns’ Fantasy Value?
After hearing Monken talk about naming his starter, he gave the impression that the Browns quarterback room could be in for quite a carousel spin throughout the 2026 season. This is where the ride will start, though, with Deshaun Watson under center. Now, what does this mean for the Browns’ offense? The Cleveland offense isn’t the flashiest or going to take the league by storm. We can expect it to be slow-paced and, overall, pretty flat, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t bright spots in this young offense. Three players for the Browns can still provide you with a fantasy spark at three different positions. Other than that, stay far away from this struggling offensive unit.
Aug 22, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) scrambles during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Quinshon Judkins
Second-year running back and Ohio State product Quinshon Judkins looks to build on a productive rookie campaign. We saw Judkins handle the workload plenty last season, and he showed flashes of what he can do, posting 230-827-7 splits through 15 games before suffering a dislocated ankle to end his rookie year early.
Coach Monken described Judkins as a “bull” during training camp when talking about the back and who he is. The second-year running back looks healthy and ready to go heading into the 2026 season, which will be a run-heavy offense. Judkins should have consistent volume and production. The touchdown opportunities are the only thing to be a concern, though he will be taking on all the goal-line carries for the offense.
With Deshaun Watson as the starter, we could see a more controlled offense given the veteran experience once he gets settled in. A competent pass game would be game-changing for Judkins’ fantasy value. Last season, Judkins faced a loaded box at the highest rate in the NFL, and if that number went down, it would allow the talented runner to get some better looks. Judkins is one of the last running backs on the board in the reliable RB2 range in the 5th round. He should be a solid pick, especially if he falls in your draft.
Aug 15, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins (10) rushes the ball against the Chicago Bears during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images
Harold Fannin Jr
Another second-year talent for the Browns offense is the tight end Harold Fannin Jr., out of the University of Bowling Green. We already saw one season of the big-bodied tight end leading the team in receiving, posting 72 catches on 107 targets for 731 yards and 6 TD.
It looks like that will continue based on the positive camp news we have heard. Fannin is 6’4″, 240 pounds, with elite hands and playmaking ability, making him a walking nightmare 1-on-1 with any player in the secondary. Fannin is going to be a case of an elite talent on a flat team, and because of that, he will get spammed in the pass game and be a PPR merchant with the number of receptions and red zone targets we could see him haul in this season.
The tight end is going in the 7th round and is one of the mid-tier tight ends with premium upside given the volume. Selecting Fannin in your draft is a good pick, getting a reliable tight end and making that a position you don’t have to overthink or worry about during the season.
Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. is tackled by Buffalo Bills safety Jordan Poyer after a second-half catch, Dec. 21, 2025, in Cleveland.
KC Concepcion
Someone in this WR room is going to have to be reliable and catch some passes from Deshaun Watson to make this offense a little more balanced than last year. All fingers are pointing to the Browns’ 2025 first-round draft pick, KC Concepcion.
The wideout is out of Texas A&M, where he transferred after his first two seasons with NC State. KC played the outside at NC State but became a slot receiver at A&M. In his senior campaign, he was the Paul Hornung Award winner for the most versatile player in college football. Monken has already talked about Concepcion’s versatility with the offense, and he will be used at all 3 (X, Z, and F) receiver positions, getting his hands on the ball anyway he can.
Concepcion is being taken off the board in the 11th round, which is WR 46-50. Given his draft position, the Browns’ rookie wideout isn’t a bad play, given the upside a rookie can have. But given what we expect this Browns offense to be, it could be better to let someone else pick up Concepcion and have to deal with a rookie trying to find a role in an unorganized offense with no true identity at the QB position between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders.
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