Fantasy Football Draft Guide: Your 2025 Cleveland Browns Cheat Sheet
It's July, which means fantasy football managers across Cleveland are dusting off their draft boards and preparing for another season of hope, heartbreak, and questionable waiver wire pickups. With training camps opening soon, now's the perfect time to dive deep into the Browns roster and separate the fantasy gold from the fool's gold.
The Must-Draft Tier: These Dogs Hunt
Jerry Jeudy (WR) - The crown jewel of Cleveland's receiving corps after exploding for 1,229 yards and 90 catches in 2024. He's proven he can handle a massive target share and actually has chemistry with whoever's throwing him the ball. Draft him confidently as a WR2 with WR1 upside.
David Njoku (TE) - One of the more reliable tight ends in fantasy football. His size and athleticism make him a consistent red-zone threat. Draft him as a high-end TE2 with TE1 weeks.
The Intriguing Wildcards: Boom or Bust Brigade
Jerome Ford (RB) - With Nick Chubb now in Houston, Ford becomes Cleveland's presumptive lead back. He showed flashes in limited action and now has a clear path to significant touches. Could be a steal in the middle rounds.
Cedric Tillman (WR) - Has the size and skill set to emerge as a significant piece. Intriguing dynasty stash or very late redraft pick.
The "Proceed with Extreme Caution" Tier
Elijah Moore (WR) - Brings speed and versatility to Cleveland's receiving corps. Consider him a late-round option with WR3/flex upside.
Kenny Pickett/Joe Flacco/Dillon Gabriel/Shedeur Sanders (QBs) - Cleveland's quarterback room is a fantasy fever dream. Whoever wins the starting job might have sneaky streaming value, but banking on consistency here is risky.
The "Thanks, But No Thanks" Tier
The Wide Receiver Depth Chart - Beyond the top names, Cleveland's receiving corps drops off quickly. Players like Marquise Goodwin and Jamari Thrash might have real football value but won't move the fantasy needle.
The Tight End Room Beyond Njoku - Jordan Akins and company are touchdown-dependent at best. Not worth roster spots in standard leagues.
Defense/Special Teams - While Dustin Hopkins has been solid, the defense faces too many questions. Stream against them rather than with them.
The Cleveland Fantasy Football Bottom Line
The Browns present a fascinating fantasy situation heading into 2025. Jerry Jeudy's emergence as a legitimate WR1 option gives Cleveland something it hasn't had in years: a truly reliable fantasy receiver. The supporting cast offers more depth than recent memory.
For Cleveland fans, this might be the first time in years you can draft hometown heroes without completely sacrificing competitive advantage. Jeudy and Njoku both offer legitimate fantasy value - though as always, draft based on value, not sentiment.
Draft smart, manage expectations, and remember: hope springs eternal in Cleveland - sometimes it even pays off.
