QB CLE
College: Clemson | 7 years
Height: 6'3" | Weight: 223 lbs
Birth Date: 1995-09-14
2024 Bye Week: 10
Total Pts: 103.95
Avg Pts: 6.11
Rank: 35 QB
Touchy Feelyy
Watson was having a better second season in Cleveland, but injuries derailed his year, limiting him to just six games. He did have 20-plus fantasy points in three of those six games. He had eight total touchdowns and four interceptions for the season. Watson did have some accuracy issues again, completing 61.4 percent of his passes. And he made a lot of bad throws, having a 20.6 percent bad throw percentage. Watson had his season end after Week 10, needing surgery to repair a shoulder injury. He should be fine for the start of this year and resume his role as a starter for the Browns. Before his last two seasons with the Browns, Watson had 30-plus touchdowns three straight seasons and 4,000-yard seasons two of three. Watson is a great athlete and a top playmaker. Watson is a dual threat who can make big plays with his arms and legs. Watson has 400-plus rushing yards in three seasons. He will force some throws at times, which has been an issue in recent seasons, and his accuracy is a concern at this point in his career.
FANTASY OUTLOOK: Watson is a risk after the last two seasons, but his ceiling is high. He scored some points when playing last year, showing his dual-threat ability. He could be top 10 if all goes well for him. We would make sure to get a solid backup if taking a risk on Watson, though. He has some concerns. Look for around 3,500 yards, 25 total scores and 400-plus rushing yards.
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper will get his starting quarterback, Deshaun Watson (shoulder), back from injury in 2024. That should surely boost his fantasy value. Cooper spent most of last season with backup quarterbacks throwing him the ball, which led to some mixed results. Still, he finished as the WR20 in PPR formats while averaging 15.1 fantasy points per game. The Browns wideout also caught 72 passes for a career-high 1,250 yards and five touchdowns last season. With Watson back under center, though, the 29-year-old should find more fantasy success. In five full games with Watson under center in 2023, the nine-year wideout averaged 17.6 PPR fantasy points. The arrival of Jerry Jeudy -- who the team acquired this offseason -- could lead to fewer targets. But there's no doubt that Cooper is the team's WR1. He should provide solid fantasy value this season, and fantasy managers could confidently take him as their WR2.
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper will get his starting quarterback, Deshaun Watson (shoulder), back from injury in 2024. That should surely boost his fantasy value. Cooper spent most of last season with backup quarterbacks throwing him the ball, which led to some mixed results. Still, he finished as the WR20 in PPR formats while averaging 15.1 fantasy points per game. The Browns wideout also caught 72 passes for a career-high 1,250 yards and five touchdowns last season. With Watson back under center, though, the 29-year-old should find more fantasy success. In five full games with Watson under center in 2023, the nine-year wideout averaged 17.6 PPR fantasy points. The arrival of Jerry Jeudy -- who the team acquired this offseason -- could lead to fewer targets. But there's no doubt that Cooper is the team's WR1. He should provide solid fantasy value this season, and fantasy managers could confidently take him as their WR2.
Fantasy Week | Pts | Scoring |
---|---|---|
Week 1 | 23.20 | Deshaun Watson 45 rushing yds (4.50 pts) Deshaun Watson 1 rushing TD (6.00 pts) . . . Deshaun Watson 13 yd TD rush Deshaun Watson 154 passing yds (7.70 pts) Deshaun Watson 1 passing TD (4.00 pts) . . . Deshaun Watson 3 yd TD pass to Harrison Bryant Deshaun Watson 1 interception thrown (-1.00 pts) Deshaun Watson 1 rushing 2XP (2.00 pts) |
Week 2 | 16.95 | Deshaun Watson 22 rushing yds (2.20 pts) Deshaun Watson 2 fumbles lost (-2.00 pts) Deshaun Watson 235 passing yds (11.75 pts) Deshaun Watson 1 passing TD (4.00 pts) . . . Deshaun Watson 3 yd TD pass to Jerome Ford Deshaun Watson 1 interception thrown (-1.00 pts) Deshaun Watson 1 rushing 2XP (2.00 pts) |
Week 3 | 24.05 | Deshaun Watson 16 rushing yds (1.60 pts) Deshaun Watson 289 passing yds (14.45 pts) Deshaun Watson 2 passing TDs (8.00 pts) . . . Deshaun Watson 19 yd TD pass to Jerome Ford . . . Deshaun Watson 43 yd TD pass to Amari Cooper |
Week 4 | 0.00 | |
Week 5 | 0.00 | |
Week 6 | 0.00 | |
Week 7 | -0.75 | Deshaun Watson 5 passing yds (0.25 pts) Deshaun Watson 1 interception thrown (-1.00 pts) |
Week 8 | 0.00 | |
Week 9 | 21.15 | Deshaun Watson 22 rushing yds (2.20 pts) Deshaun Watson 219 passing yds (10.95 pts) Deshaun Watson 2 passing TDs (8.00 pts) . . . Deshaun Watson 11 yd TD pass to Amari Cooper . . . Deshaun Watson 5 yd TD pass to David Njoku |
Week 10 | 19.35 | Deshaun Watson 37 rushing yds (3.70 pts) Deshaun Watson 213 passing yds (10.65 pts) Deshaun Watson 1 passing TD (4.00 pts) . . . Deshaun Watson 10 yd TD pass to Elijah Moore Deshaun Watson 1 interception thrown (-1.00 pts) Deshaun Watson 1 rushing 2XP (2.00 pts) |
Week 11 | 0.00 | |
Week 12 | 0.00 | |
Week 13 | 0.00 | |
Week 14 | 0.00 | |
Playoff Week 1 | 0.00 | |
Playoff Week 2 | 0.00 | |
Playoff Week 3 | 0.00 |
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will play in the Browns' final preseason game on August 24th. Live game reps will help Watson get back into a groove as he is coming off of shoulder surgery performed in November of 2023. Watson has struggled during his Browns tenure. He has only played in twelve of a possible 34 games due to injury and suspension. He only managed to throw for 1,115 yards and seven touchdowns with a completion percentage of 61.4% in six games in 2023. Fantasy managers will be eager to see how Watson fares in the preseason to gauge how well he may be able to support pass catchers such as Jerry Jeudy, Amari Cooper, and David Njoku.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson (shoulder) will play in the preseason finale against the Seattle Seahawks.
From TheHuddle
Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson (shoulder) has been cleared for contact and will receive the majority of reps in joint practices but will not play in the preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings.
From TheHuddle
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said that quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) will get the "vast majority of the reps" against the Minnesota Vikings in joint practices this week, but he won't play in the second preseason contest game next Saturday against the Vikings despite being cleared for full contact. Watson hasn't had any setbacks in his recovery from right-shoulder surgery last year, but the Browns are being careful with the 28-year-old, and it now looks like he won't get any preseason reps until perhaps the final game. The former 12th overall pick by the Houston Texans in 2017 out of Clemson is a three-time Pro Bowler but has played in only 12 games total since joining Cleveland in 2021 due to a suspension and injuries. Draft him as a QB2 with upside as he looks for a bounce-back campaign in 2024.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson will not play in the team's preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers on Saturday, Aug. 10.
From TheHuddle
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) continues to participate fully in training camp sessions. However, the Browns aren't taking any chances with his recovery from season-ending shoulder surgery, with Zac Jackson of The Athletic reporting that the team is "closely monitoring" his rehab efforts. The 28-year-old had his best season in 2020 while still a member of the Houston Texans. Yet, he's struggled in limited action in his first two seasons in Cleveland. With that in mind, Watson has plenty of tools in his arsenal. As a result, the signal-caller is a bounce-back candidate this season, but he'll need to stay healthy.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson (shoulder) rested Friday, Aug. 2, after throwing for six consecutive days, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski, who added that he has not had any limitations during training camp.
Fantasy Spin: Although Watson could be held out of all of the team's preseason games, it appears likely that he will be ready for the start of the regular season. He may not duplicate the numbers he posted with the Houston Texans but he is worthy of consideration as a QB2 option in most fantasy leagues.
From TheHuddle
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) is resting on Friday after throwing the last six days straight, head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters. Stefanski added that Watson has had no limitations with his surgically-repaired right shoulder in training camp. It remains to be seen if he'll be available for the Aug. 10 preseason opener against the visiting Green Bay Packers, but fantasy managers want to get a look at the 28-year-old three-time Pro Bowler as soon as possible after he recorded just 2,217 passing yards with 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions over two years (12 games) since joining Cleveland in 2022. In 2021 with the Houston Texans, Watson led the league in passing yards (4,823), yards per attempt (8.9), and yards per completion (12.6) in his last fully healthy season and is a sleeper target for late-round QB strategists at the end of drafts this summer.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) ended practice before the other three quarterbacks on the fourth day of training camp, but it was nothing of concern. Watson is coming off November surgery to repair the fractured right shoulder socket, and it sounds like the Browns are simply monitoring his reps in order to maintain his health. Watson threw for three consecutive days to begin training camp, and it remains to be seen if he'll be ready to play in time for the Aug. 10 preseason opener against the visiting Green Bay Packers. The 28-year-old three-time Pro Bowler doesn't carry a whole lot of risk at his 167 ADP this summer in fantasy drafts, as he's being treated as a QB2 after putting up just 2,217 passing yards with 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions over two years (12 games) since joining Cleveland in 2022. In 2021, Watson led the league passing yards (4,823), yards per attempt (8.9), and yards per completion (12.6) in his last fully healthy season.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson (shoulder) will throw in 11-on-11 drills during the team's first padded practice on Monday, July 29, head coach Kevin Stefanski said.
From TheHuddle
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said that quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) will be throwing in 11-on-11 team drills in training camp practice when the pads go on soon. Watson also took part in 11-on-11's this week without pads and is coming along nicely after having season-ending surgery on his right shoulder last year. He's on track to be 100% for the start of the 2024 regular season in Week 1. It's good news for a player that missed all of 2021 due to suspension and played in a combined 12 games the last two years for the Browns due to injuries. The 28-year-old signal-caller showed flashes of his high-end talent earlier in his career with the Houston Texans, but until he's able to stay healthy for a full year in Cleveland, fantasy managers should have him listed as a QB2 with upside.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson (shoulder) participated in 11-on-11 drills for the first time since last season on Friday, July 26.
Fantasy Spin: Watson has long been expected to be ready for the start of the season, but it is a great sign nonetheless that Cleveland feels good enough about his shoulder holding up that it signed off on 11-on-11 drills this early. While his time with the Browns has been highly disappointing, he was starting to show signs of turning it around last season before his injury. Watson is worth rolling the dice on as a high-upside QB2 in the later rounds one more time.
From TheHuddle
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) threw in 11-on-11 drills at training camp practice on Friday for the first time since last season. The Browns are currently unsure if Watson will get repetitions in the preseason this year after having season-ending shoulder surgery in 2023, but he's taking part in practices early in camp and should be fully ready for Week 1 of the 2024 regular season, barring a setback. The 28-year-old took part in 7-on-7 drills in spring practices and is not being limited early in training camp. It's a great sign for Watson, who will be looking to stay healthy and play a full season for the first time with the Browns this year. Watson has proven to be a dynamic QB when healthy, and he has plenty of playmakers around him in Cleveland, but he's going to need to stay healthy and push the ball downfield to prove he's more than a QB2 in fantasy.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski addressed the media Thursday on their first day of training camp, breaking the news that he was unsure whether or not starting quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) would appear in any of the team's three preseason games. Watson, who had shoulder surgery during the offseason to tend to the scapular and rotator cuff injuries he suffered during the 2023 season, seems to be on his way to health but isn't there just yet. Stefanski confirmed he would discuss the details with Watson and his staff before determining when he would get game action at an appropriate time. "We'll be smart," Stefanski said. "We're very fortunate to have a great medical team around Deshaun... He looks great, feels great, so we'll just be smart about it." Watson is going off draft boards as QB22 and is a solid second quarterback option in superflex leagues heading into fantasy drafts.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson (shoulder) may not play in any of the preseason games, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski, but Stefanski said Watson will participate in team drills during training camp.
Fantasy Spin: While Watson may never return to the form he showed in Houston, he isn't a bad gamble as a QB2.
From TheHuddle
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Thursday at training camp that he will call the offensive plays for the team in 2024. The Browns hired offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey this offseason, but Stefanski will at least start the new season as the play-caller after holding the role since arriving as head coach before the 2020 campaign. Ultimately, Cleveland's offensive success hinges on whether quarterback Deshaun Watson can stay on the field. The 28-year-old former 12th overall pick by the Houston Texans in 2017 out of Clemson was suspended for the entire 2021 season and has only started 12 games in the last two seasons with Cleveland due to injuries. Still, the Browns offense has finished in the top half of the league in points per game in two of the last four seasons.
From RotoBaller
At his second annual 7-on-7 high-school showcase through his foundation, Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) didn't say whether he expects to be fully cleared for the start of training camp next week, but he did say that there have been no setbacks in his shoulder rehab. "I'm great," Watson said. The 28-year-old played in only six games in 2023 for the second straight year due to a right-shoulder injury that required season-ending surgery. The good news is that he was throwing during minicamp this offseason and is expected to be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener, barring a setback this summer. Watson has QB1 potential when healthy, but he missed all of 2021 due to a suspension and has played in only 12 games the last two years due to injury, which makes him a risk/reward QB2 in fantasy in 2024 in what could be a make-or-break season.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | Deshaun Watson's re-emergence is being doubted by many in the media. Dynasty Analysis: The latest report casting a shadow of doubt on Watson comes from former NFL wide receiver James Jones. The report indicates Jones (as so many others have recently) believes Watson's best days are behind him. It's hard to argue as Watson has simply not looked like an elite-level player ever since joining Cleveland on what now looks like a ridiculous contract that's paying him $230 million in guaranteed money. This will be a make or break year for Watson, who is reportedly healthy and ready to go. At this point, he's an upside QB2 but not someone to build around in a dynasty league.
Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson (shoulder) surprised beat writer Mary Kay Cabot with his arm strength in minicamp. Cabot also expects him to be mostly back to himself by the start of the season.
Fantasy Spin: Cabot also said she saw no reason why he couldn't return to the elite level he was in Houston and wasn't healthy most of last season. Watson is a QB2 without a lot of fanfare, but he could provide a sparkplug backup to use in certain matchups.
From TheHuddle
The Athletic's Zac Jackson writes that he has significant questions about the Cleveland Browns' receiving corps this year. WR1 Amari Cooper missed the whole offseason program because he's seeking a new contract, and new wideout Jerry Jeudy missed the last three weeks with a minor undisclosed injury. The Browns still have Cooper and tight end David Njoku, but there are a bunch of questions beyond them, and quarterback Deshaun Watson needs playmakers. Jackson said he didn't see many big plays from the Browns offense during offseason workouts, and he still wonders what the team will get from Jeudy, Elijah Moore and Cedric Tillman when the regular season begins. Watson has a lot of talent from under center, but injury question marks and the lack of receiving depth he has in Cleveland makes him a clear QB2 target in fantasy.
From RotoBaller
NFL Week | Opp | Pts | Pass Com | Pass Att | Pass Yds | Pass TDs | 300 Yds | Rush Yds | Rush TDs | Fum Lost | Int |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023 Season | 103.95 | 105 | 1115 | 7 | |||||||
Week 1 | CIN | 23.20 | 16 | 154 | 1 | ||||||
Week 2 | @PIT | 16.95 | 22 | 235 | 1 | ||||||
Week 3 | TEN | 24.05 | 27 | 289 | 2 | ||||||
Week 4 | BAL | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
Week 5 | bye | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
Week 6 | SF | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
Week 7 | @IND | -0.75 | 1 | 5 | 0 | ||||||
Week 8 | @SEA | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
Week 9 | ARI | 21.15 | 19 | 219 | 2 | ||||||
Week 10 | @BAL | 19.35 | 20 | 213 | 1 | ||||||
Week 11 | PIT | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
Week 12 | @DEN | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
Week 13 | @LAR | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
Week 14 | JAX | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
Week 15 | CHI | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
Week 16 | @HOU | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
Week 17 | NYJ | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
Week 18 | @CIN | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
Wildcard | @HOU | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 |