2024 Dynasty Riser, Faller and Longshot Predictions: Cleveland Browns
Summer is the best time to evaluate dynasty assets and their place in the dynasty market. In this series, we will bring you a riser, faller, and longshot from each NFL team. We’ll cover dynasty values, potential trades, and overall team outlooks.
Today, let’s take a look at the Cleveland Browns.
Riser: David Njoku , TE
Finding a player on this offense whose value has risen over the past few months was difficult, mostly due to an underperforming franchise quarterback with an *alleged* complete lack of moral turpitude. Yet, Njoku’s career-best performance last season has seemed to resurrect his dynasty value.
Current Market Value
A TE5 finish has seen his ADP (92.83) jump nearly three full rounds from a year ago (124). The June mockers preferred Evan Engram four spots ahead of Njoku. There’s almost a round gap before the next tight end comes off the board as Jake Ferguson (108.17) is the TE11.
In terms of evaluating the position, the rankers here at DLF value the former Hurricane higher than the faux drafters. In the June rankings, we see Njoku (TE10) ranked two spots ahead of Engram (TE12) but still behind George Kittle (TE9).
Future Outlook
A sizzling four-week stretch from weeks 14-17 with the resurrected Joe Flacco at the helm has dynasty managers looking forward to Njoku’s 2025 season. While there’s plenty of reason for optimism about the Cleveland pass-catcher this year, counting on a top-five finish is a risky proposition.
First, Flacco is in Indianapolis and Deshaun Watson returns under center for the Browns. This would be an insane thing to say five years ago, but the fantasy ceiling of Cleveland’s offensive weapons drops dramatically going from Flacco to Watson.
Also, Cleveland trading and signing Jerry Jeudy to a long-term contract brings in a formidable foe in competing with Njoku for targets.
Trade Options/Conclusion
Contending rosters barren at tight end position and/or in leagues offering premium points for the position should make a play for the Miami alum. Losing Christian Kirk or Terry McClaurin shouldn’t be too detrimental to your roster. For those rebuilding, find your league mate stuck in purgatory at the position and flip Njoku for a rookie like Ladd McConkey or a future early-round pick.
Expectations for the veteran Brown should be for a repeat TE1 performance, but a league-winning performance will likely not be duplicated. Those dynasty managers with championship aspirations could fill a hole in their roster with Njoku, but only if the value is there.
Faller: Nick Chubb, RB
Following his RB6 finish in 2022, the fantasy community collectively expected Nick Chubb to continue his dominance in 2023. Unfortunately, a gruesome knee injury in week two against Pittsburgh ended his season before it really got off the ground.
Yet, this situation creates the ultimate high-risk, high-reward scenario for those willing to bet on Chubb’s recovery at some point this season.
Current Market Value
In February of this year, the dynasty community had more faith (ADP 76.5) in the Browns running back returning to form in the upcoming season. However, that faith has waned in the past five months as the Georgia alum has seen his ADP (109.33) drop nearly three full rounds.
The DLF rankers are even more pessimistic about a comeback season for Chubb than the mock drafters. He is RB37 behind the second-year hype of Kendre Miller but ahead of fellow vet Devin Singletary and rookie Blake Corum.
Future Outlook
Nick Chubb and Aidan Robbins , Cleveland Browns running backs putting in work today 🫡 pic.twitter.com/0IJTAP5ZK2
— Brad Lester (@BradLester1) June 27, 2024
Seeing Chubb put on these types of workouts gives hope to both the dynasty community and Browns fans alike. Sources from around the franchise continue to stoke the optimism flames by noting the lead back is “ahead of schedule… working towards an early season return.“
Could Chubb be ready for week one? It’s not impossible, but unlikely. Jerome Ford‘s emergence last season and the signing of D’Onta Foreman as an insurance policy point towards another more realistic scenario. The Cleveland ball carrier starts the season on IR, is eased back into the action until around week eight or nine, then will be given his normal workload for the stretch run. Contending rosters with a need at running back would be wise to stash Chubb on their bench.
Trade Options/Conclusion
If you’re in a championship window and rostering Xavier Legette and/or Jameson Williams, use them to acquire Chubb immediately. By the same token, the veteran Brown is an absolute liability for a rebuilding roster. Look to trade him for a 2025 second.
Winning a dynasty football championship is not for the faint of heart. It takes a unique combination of preparation, luck, and skill. Nick Chubb’s return from two surgeries presents a unique buying opportunity for the savvy dynasty degenerate aiming for a championship. Inserting the four-time Pro-Bowler into your starting lineup for a title push would be akin to Mariano Rivera emerging from the Yankee bullpen while Enter Sandman blasts from the speakers.
Longshot: Cedric Tillman, WR
Path to Relevance
A mid-third-round pick last season, Tillman underwhelmed in his debut season ranking fifth on the team in targets (44) and receiving yards (224). Yet, Cleveland head boss Kevin Stefanski has waxed poetically about Tillman’s improvements in the off-season. Moreover, Amari Cooper’s ongoing contract situation and absence from minicamp gave the Tennessee product more time with the first-team offense. This illustrates Tillman would be the first receiver summoned off the bench should one of the three projected starters miss any time.
Case Against Him
There’s no way to sugarcoat how little the former Volunteer accomplished in his inaugural campaign. Despite playing nearly 89% of the snaps from weeks 10-13, Tillmam turned 16 targets into a mere seven receptions for 77 scoreless yards over that span. Add the newly acquired Jeudy into the mix and there’s serious doubt about Tillman stepping on the field on a consistent basis let alone seeing targets.
Verdict
As an earlier-round pick, Tillman is in little danger of being cut from the roster… this year. Though his path to immediate fantasy relevancy is murky at best. Tillman is a fine end-of-the-bench stashing for those dynasty managers in a long-term rebuild or as an insurance policy to one of the top two receivers. He’s a roster clogger to most others though.
- Dynasty Fantasy Football: Targets Acquired - November 22, 2024
- Dynasty Fantasy Football: Targets Acquired - October 18, 2024
- Dynasty Fantasy Football: Targets Acquired - September 6, 2024
