Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, October 12, 2025, 1:00 PM ET
Location: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA
Network: CBS
Cleveland Browns
Quarterback
Dillon Gabriel: SIT
Rookie Dillon Gabriel made his first NFL start in Week 5 and handled the London matchup rather well. He finished with 19 completions for 190 yards, threw two touchdowns, and, crucially, didn’t throw any interceptions. He stuck to the short game, got his tight ends involved, and did everything needed to keep the Browns in the game.. You are not looking to start him in any format, even Superflex, but showed enough to earn another start, and made the front office comfortable enough to trade away ELITE Joe Flacco.
Running Back
Quinshon Judkins: START, RB1
Jerome Ford: SIT
Dylan Sampson: SIT
Quinshon Judkins has completely taken over in Cleveland, rushing 23 times for 110 yards (his first career 100-yard game). Judkins dominated the backfield with 79% of the Browns’ rushing attempts and is averaging over 20 carries per game since Week 3. His day could have been even bigger: he had a 56-yard touchdown run called back on a holding penalty. He did break off a couple of long runs, two for 14 yards and another for 32 yards. Judkins isn’t doing much through the air, but is locked in as a high-end RB2/low-end RB1. He is the definition of a workhorse and a near must-start, regardless of matchup. Judkins commandeering the Browns’ backfield has rendered both Jerome Ford and Dylan Sampson valueless for fantasy purposes.
Wide Receiver
Jerry Jeudy: FLEX, WR5
Isaiah Bond: FLEX, WR5
Rookie Isaiah Bond saw the second-most targets for Cleveland in Week 5 but turned the 7 targets into a meager 2 catches for 29 yards. Jerry Jeudy scored fewer than 10 points for the fourth straight game, only managing 15 yards on five targets. Both are best left for deep leagues as desperation FLEX plays, and that’s only because the Steelers are a top 10 fantasy matchup for receivers.
Tight End
David Njoku: START, TE1
Harold Fannin Jr.: STREAMER
The target share was consolidated around the tight ends for Dillon Gabriel‘s first start. David Njoku led the way for all pass catchers, finishing with 6 receptions for 67 yards and a touchdown on 9 targets. Harrold Fannin Jr. caught 4 passes for 13 yards and a TD. Njoku returns to TE1 status if he remains the primary target for Gabriel. Fannin is a desperation streamer you’re hoping comes down with another score.
Defense/Special Teams
Cleveland Browns: START
The Browns are arguably the best defense in the league and rank in the top 5 in sacks and yards allowed per game.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers: SIT
The Browns’ defense is one of the most difficult matchups for quarterbacks, allowing the sixth fewest fantasy points to the position and has yet to allow any QB to throw for over 240 yards. They’ve held three of five quarterbacks to a single touchdown pass. Outside of his Week 1 deal with the devil performance, Aaron Rodgers is averaging 180 passing yards and a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 4:3. Send him on a darkness retreat straight to your bench.
Running Back
Jaylen Warren: FLEX, RB3
Kenneth Gainwell: FLEX, RB3
Kaleb Johnson: SIT
Jaylen Warren returns after missing one game before the bye, but Kenneth Gainwell may have earned himself a larger role in the offense with his impressive spot start. He averaged 5.2 yards per carry on 19 attempts and caught all six of his targets in Week 4 against the Vikings. Warren has been his typical inefficient self, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the two share a workload. The breakdown of touches post-bye is still an unknown, keeping both floating in FLEX land for now. Considering Cleveland allows the third fewest points to the position, your best bet is to keep them on the bench if possible.
Wide Receiver
DK Metcalf: START, WR3
Calvin Austin III: SIT
Coming into the game scoring in three straight, DK Metcalf has scored double-digit points in every game, but hasn’t done much in terms of total yardage. He’s an athletic freak who can take it to the house every time he touches the ball, but in an Aurther Smith offense focused on the run, he’s a volatile WR3. Cleveland has allowed the 10th most fantasy points to receivers, so this is a good week to start Metcalf.
Tight End
Jonnu Smith: SIT
Pat Freiermuth: SIT
Both Steelers tight ends rank outside the top 25 at the position and aren’t in consideration for fantasy. Even if there’s a fire.
Defense/Special Teams
Pittsburgh Steelers: START
The Steelers rank second in takeaways with 10 and get to face Dillon Gabriel in just his second NFL start.