Roundtables: The Cleveland Offense

The Footballguys staff takes a hard look at the Browns' quarterback battle and their other fantasy prospects.

Footballguys Staff's Roundtables: The Cleveland Offense Footballguys Staff Published 08/07/2025

© Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images cleveland browns

Every season, despite the multitude of practices and reporting, there are always situations that remain murky. Still, it's August, and everyone has either already started drafting or will be very soon.

Footballguys, of course, has official projections and staff rankings. However, it can be beneficial to delve into these unclear situations in more detail.

To that end, we've asked our staff to focus on five teams:

It seems that most of the fantasy community is avoiding Cleveland's quarterback (probably the right answer), but as if things weren't already confusing, they recently signed Tyler Huntley. Of course, the signing is, in part, because Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel are nicked up, but this is a team with four quarterbacks at the start of camp (not counting Deshaun Watson), and now they add another? What's the outlook here? What about the other skill players on this roster?

The Cleveland Browns QB Situation

Jeff Haseley: The best-case scenario for production is with Joe Flacco under center. Flacco has passed for 300+ yards in 8 of his last 15 starts. Unless Shedeur Sanders is outstanding, I believe Flacco will start in Week 1. This bodes well for David Njoku, Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman, among others. If Flacco is not under center, it could be problematic for Browns receivers. 

Meng Song: The answer is to let someone else deal with this headache, but if I had to take a shot on a Browns quarterback in Superflex, it'd still be Dillon Gabriel. Lest we forget, Gabriel was a Round 3 pick from current management, whereas it feels like ownership called down to snag Shedeur Sanders after he'd fallen too far to Round 5. At the end of the day, draft capital talks, and Gabriel should get the first shot.

Ben Cummins: Tyler Huntley was simply signed due to injuries in the quarterback room. The most likely outcome here is Joe Flacco starts the season and then gives way to Dillon Gabriel at some point. 

Maurile Tremblay: Currently, insiders point to Flacco as the frontrunner to start Week 1. If Flacco struggles or the team's record falters, expect a quick shift to the team's younger, less experienced quarterbacks. A midseason pivot to Gabriel or Sanders could significantly undermine passing efficiency, forcing Cleveland into a run-heavy approach.

Phil Alexander: It's simple. Unless you believe Joe Flacco wins the job and keeps it all season, there's no reason to invest in the Cleveland passing game. Kenny Pickett profiles as a career backup, Dillon Gabriel will be in over his head against NFL defenses, and Shedeur Sanders is unlikely to even make the 53-man roster, let alone start games.

Jason Wood: The quarterbacks themselves are uninteresting on draft day. Maybe one of them emerges as a free agent addition, but that's a conversation for another day. 

Andy Hicks: Kevin Stefanski is the most successful Browns coach since Marty Schottenheimer. Coming off an awful season. If anyone can rescue the mess at quarterback, it will have to be him. With 40-year-old Joe Flacco under center, there is little excitement. With Pickett injured and the rookies not ready, Flacco allows the team to tread water.

Jeff Bell: They need a face of the franchise to win fans back. If Flacco is unsuccessful, we could see whispers of internal pressure to see what the rookies have.

The Rest of the Fantasy Options

Already a subscriber?

Continue reading this content with a PRO subscription.

Photos provided by Imagn Images
Share This Article

More by Footballguys Staff

 

Ken Walker III Fantasy Fallout After Signing With Kansas City Chiefs

Dave Kluge

Kenneth Walker III is expected to sign with the Kansas City Chiefs. What does it mean for his 2026 fantasy football outlook? Find out in this instant reaction article!

03/09/26 Read More
 

Setting the Free-Agent Table: The Fantasy Notebook

Bob Harris

Sorting out the chaos with a big-picture look at fantasy-specific news, notes, and analysis from around the NFL.

03/08/26 Read More
 

2026 IDP Free Agency Preview: Defensive Backs

Gary Davenport

Gary Davenport breaks down the top IDP options at defensive back set to hit free agency

03/06/26 Read More
 

DJ Moore, Kyler Murray, Stefon Diggs and More NFL News

Sigmund Bloom

The most important NFL stories from the past week and why they matter for fantasy football.

03/05/26 Read More
 

DJ Moore Fantasy Fallout After Chicago Bears Trade Him To Buffalo Bills

Dave Kluge

DJ Moore is being traded by the Chicago Bears to the Buffalo Bills. What does it mean for his 2026 fantasy football outlook? Find out in this instant reaction article!

03/05/26 Read More
 

2026 IDP Free Agency Preview: Linebackers

Gary Davenport

Gary Davenport breaks down the top IDP options at linebacker set to hit free agency.

03/05/26 Read More