The Cleveland Browns brought in Todd Monken as their head coach this offseason to unlock their offense with young talent. He has a tall task ahead, yet it all begins and ends with Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson's duel for the club's starting quarterback job.
All eyes are on Sanders and Watson. Whoever secures the top spot on the depth chart will have a massive domino effect. Not just on Monken and the Browns' skill players, but on the fantasy football community.
Cleveland quietly has a fascinating setup. They followed up Monken's arrival by overhauling their offensive line and adding first- and second-round rookie wide receivers in KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston. There's also plenty of intrigue surrounding budding second-year playmakers, running back Quinshon Judkins and tight end Harold Fannin Jr.
However, again, it's difficult to properly assess the situation amid the Browns' uncertainty under center. How the Sanders-Watson dynamic unfolds ultimately determines the entire operation, for better or worse.
Training camp and the preseason will give us a much better idea of what to expect from this group in 2026. There will certainly be no shortage of information when the pads come on, especially regarding Sanders versus Watson. Stay tuned and let this be your one-stop shop for everything you need to know coming out of Cleveland heading into fantasy drafts this summer.
Note: This story will be updated regularly throughout the Cleveland Browns' training camp and preseason.
Latest fantasy football updates for the Browns: News, injuries and position battles
Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders listed as co-starters on Browns' first unofficial depth chart -- 8/11
Cleveland's first-string QB spot says Watson "or" Sanders (h/t ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi).
Considering the two signal-callers have been splitting the reps with the ones, it's not shocking to see them side by side. The Browns seemingly aren't in a hurry to name a starter — and understandably so.
Deshaun Watson throws ninth INT of training camp -- 8/11
Watson has almost tossed as many picks as the Browns have practice sessions (12), according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. He must cut down on the turnovers to stave off Shedeur Sanders in one of the most anticlimactic QB battles in recent memory.
In virtually any other scenario, Watson would've already lost the war. But because he's jostling with Sanders, who's also had an up-and-down camp, it still seems to be anyone's job to win.
Denzel Boston continues gaining steam -- 8/10
Boston has been one of the best pass catchers on the field for the Browns, and it's gotten his coaches' attention. Head coach Todd Monken reported that Boston will begin working with the 1s at receiver. The Browns aren't holding back the rookie, as he's been a playmaker for them thus far.
Quinshon Judkins looks healthy after lower leg injury -- 8/8
Lance Reisland of Cleveland.com reported that Judkins looks good and decisive when running the ball. He's shown no trouble getting downhill and remains a checkdown option in the passing game.
The tea leaves continue to suggest the Browns may truly deploy Judkins like a true three-down workhorse. He's proven to be a solid, if not unspectacular, receiver, hauling in 72.2 percent of his 36 targets and posting 6.6 yards per reception. The 2025 second-round selection's consensus RB22 ranking in point-per-reception (PPR) formats could age beautifully if Cleveland doesn't have to take him off the field.
KC Concepcion avoids injury scare -- 8/7
After leaving practice earlier in the week with a shoulder issue, Concepcion revealed he suffered an AC joint sprain. The former Texas A&M star fortunately said he's "fine" (h/t Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com).
Crisis averted. Concepcion was gaining steam before getting hurt, so hopefully we can see him pick back up where he left off. With a current WR51 consensus average draft position (ADP), his upside alone is worth a flier.
Multiple media members in attendance gush over Denzel Boston -- 8/5
Boston was the talk of the town in Cleveland on Aug. 5. He suddenly has everyone's attention, especially ESPN's Benjamin Solak.
The combination of great size and talent Boston possesses has been apparent. He has the makings of a Day 1 contributor for a Browns squad that needs a clear-cut alpha to emerge.
Deshaun Watson booed by Browns fans -- 8/4
Watson heard it from the crowd following another rough outing (h/t Noah Olson of BIGPLAY).
That should tell us all we need to know regarding how the Dawg Pound feels about Watson. They've run out of patience, and frankly, it's hard to blame them. At this rate, holding serve may be enough for Sanders to come out on top in this lackluster QB race.
KC Concepcion, Denzel Boston 'galaxies better' than any Browns WR -- 8/3
It didn't take long for Concepcion and Boston to clearly separate themselves from the rest of the pack (h/t Zac Jackson of The Athletic). Their stock continues to rise by the day.
If only the Browns' QB situation wasn't a tire fire. Concepcion and Boston's ceilings are only as high as the person throwing them the ball. Their efforts thus far make them intriguing bench stashes in the short term — and exciting dynasty options for the long haul.
Shedeur Sanders continues to have highs and lows -- 8/3
Despite "several impressive throws to Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion," per Lance Reisland, Sanders continues to force things when a play is essentially over, thus resulting in incompletions and interceptions. Sanders worked with the starters in the latest practice.
Deshaun Watson keeps throwing interceptions -- 8/3
Also according to Reisland, Watson threw a couple of picks in Sunday's practice. He did have some nice "rhythm" completions, but the interceptions continue to be an issue.
Dillon Gabriel 'outstanding' in recent outing -- 8/3
Reisland also noted Gabriel having a great practice, although we've come to believe that it doesn't matter much at this point.
Denzel Boston looks like a favorite target of Shedeur Sanders -- 8/3
"Boston put together one of his best practices of camp, consistently making plays against the Browns' top defenders," said Reisland.
Sanders' chemistry with Boston has been evident thus far, putting him even more onto the radar of fantasy managers.
KC Concepcion continues his reliability -- 8/3
"Concepcion continued to be a reliable target by consistently finding openings underneath the defense throughout practice," wrote Reisland.
All the hype keeps building for both Browns rookie wideouts. Can both actually matter, though, with Jerry Jeudy still hanging around?
Browns RBs coach Duce Staley says 'sky is the limit' for Quinshon Judkins -- 7/31
Staley believes Judkins "can play all three downs" (h/t ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi).
Judkins is coming back from a dislocated ankle and fractured fibula that required surgery and derailed him in 2025. He's ready to rock and appears set to take a significant step forward in his second NFL campaign, barring any setbacks.
Denzel Boston is physically noticeable --7/30
Listed at 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, Boston's massive stature has been evident in practice (h/t Lance Reisland of Cleveland.com). He showed off his catch radius on a nice grab.
Profiling as a prototypical "X" receiver, Boston's skill set lends itself to a more volatile role than fellow Browns rookie KC Concepcion. Shoddy quarterback play won't help matters.
Isaiah Bond is trending upward -- 7/30
Bond appears to be getting more comfortable in the Browns' offense (h/t Lance Reisland of Cleveland.com). His combination of speed, versatility and route-running ability has added another dimension thus far.
Keep your eyes on Bond. He went undrafted amid a legal situation that was later no-billed, though one team reportedly tabbed him as a first-round prospect during the evaluation process.
KC Concepcion makes multiple plays -- 7/29
Concepcion's burst and quick feet are already on display. He found ways to create separation and was on the receiving end of multiple passes from Shedeur Sanders.
Cleveland desperately needs another pass-catcher to emerge. Why can't it be Concepcion?
Dylan Sampson shines early -- 7/29
Any conversation about Cleveland's current running back room understandably starts and ends with Quinshon Judkins. It was fellow sophomore back Dylan Sampson "who may have stolen the show," per Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal.
Sampson showed "a lot of burst, especially when he was hitting the corner on a stretch play," Easterling noted. Even if Judkins is the Browns' workhorse, the Tennessee product has the skill set to serve as a valuable change-of-pace/pass-catching RB.
Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot notes that Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson start flat -- 7/29
While Watson opened camp with the first-stringers, he didn't exactly take advantage, tossing back-to-back interceptions on Day 1. Sanders "struggled" during 11-on-11 periods, missing the mark on a "couple of" plays and failing to stand out in any way.
Is there anything behind door No. 3? Hopefully, for the sake of their supporting cast, Watson and Sanders are shaking off rust and will improve as they get into full swing.
Actionable Browns fantasy takeaways
Concepcion and Boston have the pedigree and upside to return great value on investment at their average draft positions (ADPs). Judkins could legitimately push for 300 touches after seeing 256 across 14 games in his first season. Fannin is a stud and no worse than the second option in the Browns' passing attack, something most TEs can't say.
Where wideout Jerry Jeudy factors into the equation bears monitoring. He's technically the veteran of the group, albeit with increased competition on the outside and in the slot à la Concepcion and Boston.
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