Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, September 15, 2024, 1:00ET
Location: EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, FL
Network: CBS
Cleveland Browns
Quarterback
Deshaun Watson: Sit, QB2
We will keep this very brief. Deshaun Watson has played terribly since returning to the NFL. In Week 1, he continued that streak of below-average play. He is dealing with injury again and a new civil suit. In 1QB leagues he is barely restorable, and I would not blame you for dropping him.
Running Back
Jerome Ford: FLEX Option
Jerome Ford salvaged his day with a garbage-time touchdown in Week 1. He is going to be a FLEX candidate most weeks until Nick Chubb returns to the field. The encouraging sign for Ford is his usage. He was on the field for 75% of the snaps and saw 18 touches between his 12 carries and seven targets. In Full PPR, he will benefit from Watson’sWatson’s drive-killing decisions and dump-offs. Ford gets an easier matchup in Week 2, so his efficiency may be up, but with more questions at quarterback, I wouldn’t expect another Redzone visit.
Wide Receiver
Amari Cooper: Start, WR3/FLEX
Jerry Jeudy: Sit, WR5
The win for Amari Cooper from Week 1 is that he saw nine targets. The concern is the quality of targets, as he was only able to haul in two of those for 16 yards. He gets a much easier matchup with the Jaguar’s defense, which bodes well for a bounce-back if Watson can put together anything resembling the player he once was. He did put up a strong game against the Jaguars last season posting 77 yards on 14 targets in Week 14. Jerry Jeudy saw a similar target share to Cooper in Week 1 and was also unimpressive. He did get into the end zone, which allowed him to be WR33 in the week. He is an avoid for me this week; don’t get caught chasing points.
Tight End
Sit All
David Njoku has already been ruled out for this Sunday’s game with an ankle injury. The Browns have very little behind him at the position so you can avoid looking for his replacement on the Browns.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Quarterback
Trevor Lawrence: Sit, QB2
Trevor Lawrence gets further and further away from what people expected with each passing game. While I still believe in a strong season, Week 2 looks to be bringing more challenges. Lawrence was able to protect the football in Week 1 which was a primary concern entering the season. If he can continue to do that and get on the same page with his overhauled wide receiver room, he could get over the 60% completion rate for the first time all year. Ultimately, this week is one to avoid, as there are better options around the league.
Running Back
Travis Etienne: Start, RB2
Tank Bigsby: Sit, RB3
Travis Etienne was not able to find room to run last week, posting just 44 yards on the ground with his 12 carries and adding a marginal two receptions and 15 yards through the air. Luckily for Etienne, he was able to find the end zone. In Week 2, he will need to make more of an impact as a receiver. The Browns present a tough challenge though. The other obstacle for Etienne is Tank Bigsby‘s usage and his performance. Bigsby also saw 12 carries but was able to rack up 73 yards. He looked more decisive and showed improved vision and footwork. He only saw around 30% of snaps in Week 1, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see that climb closer to 40% this week, especially if Etienne continues to struggle on the ground until we see evidence of that trend, though I would keep him on the bench in the tough matchups like this.
Wide Receiver
Brian Thomas Jr.: Start, WR3/FLEX
Christian Kirk: Sit, WR4
Gabe Davis: Sit, WR5
Brian Thomas Jr. officially jumped Christian Kirk in my rankings this week. The offense as a whole looked out of sync, but one player that still found a way to shine was Thomas Jr. He not only scored the only receiving touchdown for the Jags, but he looked the part. Thomas was not perfect, but he showed some crisp routes and fluidity in his hips, which made him an intriguing prospect for the NFL Draft. In a tough matchup, he may not see much of an increase in his Week 1 numbers, but he is THE red zone threat in the offense and has the size and speed to hit paydirt again this week. He hasn’t quite jumped to the WR2 range, but if he can put up a strong Week two and three, it will be hard to keep him out of that range. Kirk led me astray in Week 1. He looked lost, catching only one pass for 30 yards. Still only 27, Kirk may need to shake off the rust, but unless we see some more chemistry with Lawrence, he is going to keep falling in my rankings, even when they aren’t playing one of the better defenses in the league. Gabe Davis led the team in receiving, but if we have learned anything about Davis, the chances he does that two weeks in a row are minimal.
Tight End
Evan Engram: Start, TE1
Evan Engram is my TE8 this week. In Week 1, he struggled to connect with Trevor Lawrence, but I don’t see that repeating in Week 2. Even in a tough matchup, Engram should be able to improve on his production. He finished as the TE1 overall last season against the Browns, posting 95 yards and two touchdowns.