Multiple reports indicate Deshaun Watson is expected to get the first crack at Cleveland’s starting quarterback job, despite a preseason that has done little to silence the questions. Watson has completed 16-of-27 passes for 168 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception across two preseason appearances, including a rough outing against Buffalo while playing with backups.
Watson enters 2026 as a veteran quarterback with his fantasy ceiling tied to whether he can stay healthy and rediscover his rushing and passing efficiency. Watson is a low-end QB2 who needs the Browns’ young weapons—Denzel Boston, KC Concepcion and Harold Fannin Jr.—to unlock any meaningful fantasy value.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders put together a...
ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi reports that Cleveland Browns ...
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders worked with ...
Listed as a starter on Cleveland’s preseason unofficial depth chart, Denzel Boston has impressed with his size and physicality in training camp, giving him a real shot at meaningful snaps and targets in 2026. The biggest question is who will be throwing him the ball, as Cleveland’s unsettled QB situation could cap Boston’s upside.
If the passing game finds stability, the second-round rookie has the talent to become a legitimate fantasy sleeper in redraft and best ball formats. His dynasty value is also surging, and the rookie checks in as PlayerProfiler’s dynasty WR59.
Deshaun Watson secured consecutive first-team reps over rookie Shedeur Sanders in Cleveland’s training camp quarterback rotation, signaling head coach Todd Monken favors the veteran. Despite Watson posting a 72.0 True Passer Rating in 2024, three straight efficient practices earned him exclusive starter work while Sanders—boasting an 81st-percentile 19.6 Breakout Age—waits on deck.
Watson is currently in the lead, but he is highly unlikely to be under center in the second half of the season. Regardless, this camp development will inevitably suppress Sanders’ superflex value. Expect this position competition to continue through the preseason games before Cleveland officially names its Week 1 starter against Jacksonville.
The Cleveland Browns have an open quarterback competition because Deshaun Watson failed to secure the job during spring practices. Watson finished his last active stretch with an 11.4 Fantasy Points Per Game average and a No. 37-ranked 72.0 True Passer Rating.
Challenger Shedeur Sanders offers a 90th-percentile 78.2 College QBR, but his 3.08-second average time to throw caps the fantasy utility of this entire depth chart. Sanders is the Browns QB to target in fantasy football superflex best ball and dynasty league formats.
Rumors out of Cleveland indicate the Browns are simply not sold on Shedeur Sanders as a franchise quarterback and are fielding trade calls for the second-year QB ahead of training camp. Despite taking initial first-team minicamp reps, Sanders remains locked in a fluid depth chart battle with Deshaun Watson after averaging a paltry 11.9 Fantasy Points Per Game across eight games last season.
It is a major concern for Sanders’ dynasty lifetime value that the front office is hesitant to anchor their future to a passer who paired a 78.2 College QBR with an NFL-long 3.08-second average time to throw in 2026. Traded or not, Sanders remains a priority stash in superflex fantasy football dynasty leagues and will continue to be a polarizing QB prospect for the foreseeable future.
Shedeur Sanders earned the initial first-team reps this week, and Browns HC Todd Monken thinks he is “being more decisive.” Sanders still faces a looming training camp rotation with Deshaun Watson. Watson managed just 11.4 Fantasy Points Per Game in seven starts last season before a second consecutive year ended on injured reserve.
This fluid depth chart offers very little job security to open the season, making both Sanders and Watson highly volatile selections in early fantasy football drafts. Sanders has youth on his side and is the preferred option for dynasty managers.
