Browns’ Week 5 Fantasy Outlooks ft. Deshaun Watson, Jerome Ford, Amari Cooper & more

Browns' Week 5 Fantasy Outlooks (image credit: Cleveland Browns/Instagram)

The Cleveland Browns find themselves in an early bind at 1-3 and have a tricky game against the Washington Commanders in Week 5. With QB Deshaun Watson still not living up to his contract and trade value, combined with a variety of injuries, the Browns are in danger of falling behind in the AFC North.

Cleveland’s weapons have not been safe starts in 2024, so let’s look at their outlooks against the 3-1 Commanders:

Browns’ QB Fantasy Outlook: Deshaun Watson

Deshaun Watson is yet to have a 200-yard passing game in 2024 but has still flirted with good scores in fantasy football. From a low of 10.66 points in Week 1 to a high of 16.24, Watson is averaging 14.4 points as the NFL’s QB17.

The Commanders have been involved in some shootouts this year, and have conceded 102 points in four games. It’s getting late very early in Cleveland, so expect them to be aggressive in Week 5. Watson feels like a risky start with his current form, but he has a high ceiling in this one so should be plugged into your lineup.

Browns’ RB Fantasy Outlook: Jerome Ford

Until Nick Chubb is fully ready, Jerome Ford is the main RB in Cleveland. While D’Onta Foreman is a very capable backup, he is not getting anything like Ford’s volume. Ford’s issue is that he has not been getting in the endzone much in 2024, and has only the 1 TD from Week 1.

The good news is that the Commanders are 22nd against the run, allowing an average of 24.30 points per game to RBs (HPPR). Ford looks to have a solid floor in this game, so should be started as your RB2/flex.

Browns’ WR Fantasy Outlooks: Amari Cooper & Jerry Jeudy

It gets a bit trickier at WR as the Browns have not been hugely explosive in 2024. Amari Cooper has the higher ceiling of Cleveland’s two fantasy-relevant WRs, with Jerry Jeudy seeming to have a dependable floor.

Cooper was unlucky to see an 82-yard TD called back in Week 4, and finished the game vs. Las Vegas with 5.50 points (HPPR). His 24.10 points and 2 TD display in Week 3 make Amari Cooper a WR2 with considerable upside, but he has plenty of risk at the same time.

Meanwhile, Jerry Jeudy has broken 10 points twice and also hit 9.80 on the year. His 6.70-point display came when Cooper went big against the Giants, but the Commanders could be a good matchup for both WRs. Washington is 32nd against WRs, allowing 46.08 ppg to the position, so both are good starts in Week 5.

Browns’ TE Fantasy Outlook: David Njoku (Q) & Jordan Akins

Cleveland TE David Njoku was limited in practice on Wednesday, so there is reason to believe a return is near. Even if that return is in Week 5, it would be better to wait until he has played a game and been a full participant in training before starting him in fantasy football.

As for Jordan Akins, his 9 receptions for 76 yards on the year do not warrant a start here, so it would be best to swerve both TEs unless you are truly desperate.

Also read: Fantasy Football Week 5 Defense Rankings & Streamers ft. Seahawks, Patriots & Broncos