Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, September 13, 2026, 1:00 PM ET
Location: EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, FL
Network: CBS
Cleveland Browns
Quarterback
Deshaun Watson: SIT
Running Back
Quinshon Judkins: START, RB2
Dylan Sampson: SIT
If Quinshon Judkins didn’t have enough going against him last season, facing 8+ defenders in the box at a league-high 45.2% of his carries among qualified backs (per Next Gen Stats), that could actually increase with the inept Deshaun Watson under center. Judkins should see enough volume to be considered an RB2, but his ceiling is nonexistent in this offense, and against a Jags defense that allowed the 3rd fewest points per game to the position last season, his floor is much lower than it should be. He’s a low-end RB2 (my RB24 this week, to be exact) who I don’t mind swapping out for a boom-bust option.
Wide Receiver
Denzel Boston: SIT
Jerry Jeudy: SIT
Kc Concepcion: FLEX, WR4
I love the talent of both rookie receivers on the Browns, but I’m only willing to risk it with KC Concepcion because he likely winds up with enough targets to make him a decent FLEX in PPR leagues. Denzel Boston is a stud, but until the Browns can find someone who is a capable thrower of the football (if they ever do), he’s on the bench. Yes, Jerry Jeudy still plays football.
Tight End
Harold Fannin Jr: START, TE1
Harold Fannin Jr. has elite athleticism, and that’s just about all it takes to be a fantasy-viable tight end these days. The Jags allowed eight touchdowns to the position (10th most), and Fannin had the fifth-highest target share among qualifying tight ends last season.
Defense/Special Teams
Cleveland Browns: SIT
So long Myles Garrett startability of the Browns D/ST.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Quarterback
Trevor Lawrence: START, QB1
You’re starting Trevor Lawrence, no question, but I am concerned this game gets so out of hand so quickly that TLaw doesn’t have to do much and the Jags cruise to a win. Hopefully he’s gotten into the end zone multiple times before that happens.
Running Back
Bhayshul Tuten: FLEX, RB3
Chris Rodriguez Jr.: FLEX, RB4
Lequint Allen Jr.: SIT
There’s been a whole lot of rootin’ for Bhayshul Tuten this offseason, but I think Chris Rodriguez Jr. is going to be a thorn in the side of those that call themselves the “Bhayshul Bunch” (I just made that up. Let’s see if it catches on). Both should see plenty of work in a game the Jags should control from whistle to whistle, but I can’t consider either anything more than a FLEX play until we see how things shake out workload-wise.
Wide Receiver
Brian Thomas Jr: START, WR3
Jakobi Meyers: START, WR3
Parker Washington: START, WR3
It’s going to be difficult to project who the Jags receiver you want to start most is on a week-to-week basis, and facing off against a Browns defense that allowed the fifth fewest points to the position doesn’t help. Even without Myles Garrett, the Browns won’t do enough offensively to make the Jags push the ball down the field to make any of Brian Thomas Jr., Jakobi Meyers, or Parker Washington exciting to start. Washington is probably the most enticing option based on preseason hype and last season’s red-hot finish.
Tight End
Brenton Strange: SIT
Brenton Strange is what my son likes to call Okay and a Half: Just a little better than average. Too much target competition and not a good enough matchup to consider streaming Strange.
Defense/Special Teams
Jacksonville Jaguars: START
Heavy favorites, an over/under that very well could settle under 40 points, and an offense led by… checks notes… Deshaun Watson in the year of our Lord 2026. You tell me. A start? Nicely done.