Guest of the League
Moneyball Est. 2019
Dynasty $500 - FFL: Preseason | NFL: Week 1
Deshaun Watson

QB CLE

College: Clemson | 7 years
Height: 6'3" | Weight: 223 lbs
Birth Date: 1995-09-14
2024 Bye Week: 5

Total Pts: 103.95
Avg Pts: 6.11
Rank: 35 QB

Atomic 19

2024 RTSports Outlook

Watson returned to football last year and started the last six games of the season for the Browns. He showed his rust, completing just 58.2 percent of his passes, the lowest total of his career. He had completed at least 67 percent of his passes three straight seasons before last year. It is a little understandable for last season, though, getting his first snaps since 2020. He had missed a lot of time. Watson showed his potential at times, topping 20 fantasy points three of six games. He didn't throw the ball well for his standards but still helped fantasy teams. He can get it going again in this Browns offense. Before last year, Watson had 30-plus touchdowns three straight seasons and 4,000-yard seasons two of three. Watson is a great athlete and top playmaker. Watson is a dual threat that can make big plays with his arm and legs. Watson has 400-plus rushing yards three seasons. He will force some throws at times, but generally does a good job of limiting turnovers.

FANTASY OUTLOOK: Watson is a bit of a risk after his up and down play last year, but certainly has the potential to be an elite fantasy quarterback. We would expect his numbers to improve this year. He can be top 10 once again. Look for around 4,000 yards, 30 total scores and 400-plus rushing yards.

FreeDraftGuide.com

RotoBaller's Outlook

Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford was used sparingly in his rookie season after being drafted in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. The Cincinnati product totaled just 12 rushing yards and was primarily used as a pro returner in his debut season. With Kareem Hunt out of the picture, he is set up to be the primary handcuff running back for Nick Chubb behind one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. The Browns traded offensive lineman Tyron Wheatley to the Patriots in exchange for running back Pierre Strong Jr. Despite the trade for Strong, Ford is the favorite to be Cleveland's RB2 behind Chubb. There's also a chance Ford has standalone value with a receiving role out of the backfield, but even if he's just a pure backup, he's an attractive fantasy asset. The Browns' offense could take a massive leap forward if Deshaun Watson gets back to form, and if the 27-year-old Chubb has to miss any time, Ford will immediately have RB1 upside in his absence.

Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford was used sparingly in his rookie season after being drafted in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. The Cincinnati product totaled just 12 rushing yards and was primarily used as a pro returner in his debut season. With Kareem Hunt out of the picture, he is set up to be the primary handcuff running back for Nick Chubb behind one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. The Browns traded offensive lineman Tyron Wheatley to the Patriots in exchange for running back Pierre Strong Jr. Despite the trade for Strong, Ford is the favorite to be Cleveland's RB2 behind Chubb. There's also a chance Ford has standalone value with a receiving role out of the backfield, but even if he's just a pure backup, he's an attractive fantasy asset. The Browns' offense could take a massive leap forward if Deshaun Watson gets back to form, and if the 27-year-old Chubb has to miss any time, Ford will immediately have RB1 upside in his absence.

Fantasy WeekPts
Scoring
Week 123.20Deshaun 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 216.95Deshaun 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 324.05Deshaun 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 40.00
Week 5
Week 60.00
Week 7-0.75Deshaun Watson 5 passing yds (0.25 pts)
Deshaun Watson 1 interception thrown (-1.00 pts)
Week 80.00
Week 921.15Deshaun 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 1019.35Deshaun 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 110.00
Week 120.00
Week 130.00
Week 140.00
Playoff Week 10.00
Playoff Week 20.00
Playoff Week 30.00
Player Notes
Mar 19 2:20pm ET

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) could begin light throwing as early as Tuesday. Watson's 2023 season ended early and he had surgery on Nov. 21 to fix a displaced fracture in his right shoulder socket. The Browns are going to bring the 28-year-old starter along slowly this offseason, but as long as he doesn't encounter any setbacks, he should be ready for training camp this summer and the start of the 2024 season. Watson has been rehabbing in Los Angeles with quarterbacks coach Quincy Avery and is now ready to start throwing the ball around. The former first-rounder in 2017 out of Clemson by the Texans has now had two straight disappointing seasons in Cleveland after being suspended for all of 2021. He should still be considered a QB1 in fantasy, but his stock is certainly down after playing only 12 games the last two years.

From RotoBaller

Mar 19 12:43pm ET

Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson (shoulder) could begin some light throwing as soon as Tuesday, March 19, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

From TheHuddle

Feb 29 2:40pm ET

The Cleveland Browns restructured Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward's deal on Thursday to clear $11.359 million in salary cap space for the 2024 season. The move puts the Browns under the new $255.4 million salary cap by around $3 million. They are still among the teams with the least cap space in the NFL heading into the start of free agency on March 13, and there will other players in the near future that Cleveland restructures. Among them could be quarterback Deshaun Watson for the third straight year, and receiver Amari Cooper. Ward's cap charge was $23.462 million and his base salary was $15.324 million, but now he'll get a big chunk of that cash up front. The 26-year-old Ward still has four years left on the five-year, $100.5 million extension he signed in 2022. He appeared in just 13 games in 2023 due to injuries but should bounce back in 2024 with better health.

From RotoBaller

Feb 27 4:50pm ET

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) is set to begin throwing again in March, according to general manager Andrew Berry. The 28-year-old was placed on season-ending injured reserve following the Week 10 game against the Baltimore Ravens and underwent surgery on his throwing shoulder. Despite Watson's struggles in 12 games over two years with the franchise (14 touchdowns and nine interceptions), it seems the Browns are committed to rolling into the 2024 campaign with him under center. "He's worked his tail off in terms of his rehab and recovery," Berry said. "He's in a really good place. We're excited for when the spring hits and we can get him back on the field. He's making really good progress and we're really excited to see that continue." Watson has limited fantasy upside based on what we've seen over the last few seasons, but his QB22 price tag in early FFPC best ball drafts makes him an intriguing dice roll.

From RotoBaller

Feb 22 2:20pm ET

The Cleveland Browns' vertical passing game didn't really take off until quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) was already out for the year with a shoulder injury in November of last year. Cleveland feels good having receiver Amari Cooper and tight end David Njoku leading their pass-catching group, but the rest of the bunch has plenty of question marks. The Athletic's Zac Jackson suggests that the Browns need more speed, and probably more size and consistency, at the position. They will almost certainly add to their receiver room in both March (in free agency) and in April (in the draft). Veteran slot man Elijah Moore certainly didn't make as much of an impact as the front office expected him to when they acquired him from the New York Jets.

From RotoBaller

Feb 19 3:50pm ET

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) is on track in his rehab schedule from shoulder surgery and may even be a little bit ahead, and he will begin throwing in March, according to a league source. Watson had surgery on Nov. 21 to fix a fractured right shoulder socket. It's great news for his participation at least on a limited basis for the team's offseason workouts, which begin on April 15. Watson has started working out and has talked with some of his receivers about working out together in the offseason. The 28-year-old fractured his right shoulder in Week 10 and only played in six games in his second year in Cleveland, throwing for 1,115 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions. It was surely a disappointing season for Watson, but with better health, he has clear rebound potential while working with new offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Feb 19 1:43pm ET

Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson (shoulder) is expected to begin throwing during the month of March, according to sources Monday, Feb. 19.

Fantasy Spin: Watson averaged 14.5 fantasy points per game while dealing with a shoulder injury but did have two top-10 finishes through the first three weeks. Managers will need to monitor his throwing progress, and he should be viewed as a high-end QB2 until he shows more consistency.

From TheHuddle

Jan 29 12:10pm ET

The Cleveland Browns hired former Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey to be their next offensive coordinator on Sunday, according to sources. Dorsey will replace Alex Van Pelt, who served as the Browns' offensive coordinator for the last four seasons. However, head coach Kevin Stefanski has called the offensive plays for the team since taking over in 2020. The Bills fired Dorsey on Nov. 14 after the team got off to a 5-5 start. He was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2022 when his predecessor, Brian Daboll, took the head-coaching job with the New York Giants. Under Dorsey, Buffalo's offense failed to score more than 25 points from Week 5 through his firing after Week 10 as turnovers plagued quarterback Josh Allen and the offense. Dorsey will now be charged with helping Deshaun Watson regain his form after two inconsistent seasons in Cleveland.

From RotoBaller

Jan 14 3:50pm ET

The Cleveland Browns are entering the offseason with the mindset that Deshaun Watson (shoulder) is their starting quarterback, head coach Kevin Stefanski told the media. The position proved to be a revolving door for the Browns this season as they started five different players. Walker started six of the Browns' nine games, completing 61.4 percent of his passes for 1,115 yards, seven touchdowns, and four interceptions. He also added 142 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown, and two lost fumbles. Several injuries to Watson, including a season-ending shoulder issue, prompted the Browns to experiment with P.J. Walker and Dorian Thompson-Robinson, but neither of them produced great results. Veteran Joe Flacco took over in Week 13 and would start the next five games before Jeff Driskel got the nod in the regular-season finale. Flacco completed 60.3 percent of his passes for 1,616 yards, 13 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. With that said, Flacco is set to hit free agency this offseason and the Browns will return to Watson once he's healthy, presumably due to the fact that they gave up six draft picks (including three first-rounders) for him and then signed him to a five-year, $230 million deal. He ranks as a fantasy QB2 heading into the 2024 campaign.

From RotoBaller

Jan 14 3:43pm ET

Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson (shoulder) is making good progress in his recovery and will be the Browns starting quarterback moving forward, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski.

Fantasy Spin: It is not known if Watson will be able to participate in offseason workouts, but he should be ready for training camp. He played well at times this season but may be a low-end No. 1 quarterback in leagues next season.

From TheHuddle

Dec 13 2:30pm ET

Cleveland Browns safety Grant Delpit (groin) and defensive lineman Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (pectoral) could both be out for the season after getting banged up in the Week 14 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Delpit is being placed on Injured Reserve with a groin injury, meaning his regular season is over. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said there's a chance he could return in the playoffs. Okoronkwo is dealing with a significant pectoral injury, which has the chance to sideline him for the rest of the season. The Browns have continued to see key players go down this season, including Deshaun Watson (shoulder), Nick Chubb (knee), Jedrick Willis (knee), and Jack Conklin (knee). However, they are sitting at 8-5 and are currently the No. 5 seed in the AFC. If either Delpit or Okoronkwo can return for the playoffs, it would give the franchise a better chance at winning its second playoff game since 1994.

From RotoBaller

Nov 26 9:20pm ET

Cleveland Browns defensive lineman Myles Garrett (shoulder) was seen in a sling during the postgame press conference after their game against the Denver Broncos. The elite pass-rusher said that he felt something in his left shoulder pop, but he doesn't know the severity of the injury just yet. Garrett said that he'll be getting some scans done in Los Angeles. He has been at the forefront of the number-one defense in the league, and the Browns are already without Deshaun Watson (shoulder) on the other side of the ball. If he has to miss extended time, this would be a huge blow to their playoff hopes. Fantasy managers with their defense should stay tuned for more updates from the further tests.

From RotoBaller

Nov 21 7:50pm ET

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) underwent successful surgery to fix a displaced fracture in his right shoulder on Tuesday in Los Angeles. The procedure was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache. Watson is expected to be ready for the start of the 2024 season. The 28-year-old signal-caller was also dealing with a sprained right rotator cuff earlier in the year and missed Weeks 4 and 6 before returning in Week 7, only to aggravate his shoulder and miss another game in Week 8. So far, Watson has been a disappointment considering the massive fully guaranteed deal he was given by Cleveland. P.J. Walker has made a few starts in place of Watson this year, but rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson picked up his first career win in Week 11 over the Pittsburgh Steelers and will stick as the Browns' starter at QB again this weekend in Denver against the Broncos.

From RotoBaller

Nov 21 5:03pm ET

Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson (shoulder) underwent surgery on his injured shoulder on Tuesday, Nov. 21. The procedure was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who expects Watson to be ready for the start of the 2024 season.

Fantasy Spin: Fantasy managers already know Watson is out for the remainder of the season, but this report is further confirmation that he should be fine to play in 2024. The Browns will move forward this season with some combination of Dorian Thompson-Robinson, P.J. Walker or Joe Flacco.

From TheHuddle

Nov 16 12:33am ET

Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson (shoulder, ankle) was placed on the Reserve/Injured list on Wednesday, Nov. 15.

From TheHuddle

Nov 15 12:20pm ET

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) is headed to the Injured Reserve list after suffering a displaced fracture in his right glenoid in his shoulder against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 10. The 28-year-old missed multiple games earlier this season due to shoulder injuries, and his season is now over. He finishes the 2023 campaign with 1,115 passing yards, seven passing touchdowns, and four interceptions. The Browns posted a 5-1 record in games in which Watson started. Rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson has been named the new starting signal-caller. Expect Amari Cooper, Elijah Moore, and David Njoku to see reduced fantasy value moving forward.

From RotoBaller

Nov 15 10:04am ET

Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is expected to miss the rest of the season because of a shoulder injury. P.J. Walker should get first shot at starting for the Browns going forward.

Nov 15 9:40am ET

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) is set to miss the remainder of the 2023 season due to a shoulder injury. Watson had already missed a few games this year because of his banged-up shoulder, and he reportedly suffered a season-ending injury in the first quarter in the Week 10 win over the Baltimore Ravens. Watson had one of his better games as a Brown, completing 20 of his 34 passing attempts for 213 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Now, he'll be sidelined moving forward, and P.J. Walker will take over the starting QB role. If Walker struggles, rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson could get a look as well.

From RotoBaller

Nov 15 9:13am ET

Dynasty | Deshaun Watson will be placed on season-ending IR due to a broken bone in his shoulder. Dynasty Analysis: The hits just keep on coming. His season ends after six inconsistent games though he had been showing signs of the 'old' Deshaun Watson. This move is certain to rekindle frustration surrounding his massive guaranteed contract, which he has yet to come close to justifying and it remains to seen who will be under-center in week 11, though it stands to reason the team will turn back to PJ Walker. As for Watson, DLF's QB13, this news may cause yet another short-term erosion in his dynasty value.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Nov 15 9:13am ET

Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson (shoulder, ankle) suffered a displaced fracture in the glenoid of his right shoulder, which will require surgery. He'll be placed on the Reserve/Injured list and miss the rest of the season.

Fantasy Spin: P.J. Walker will be the starter, but he offers very little in fantasy.

From TheHuddle

Player Transactions
  • 28-Nov-2022: Deshaun Watson - RSUS - QB Deshaun Watson was reinstated from suspension.
  • 01-Aug-2022: CLE Deshaun Watson - Suspended - 6 games (NFL Personal Conduct Policy)
  • 20-Mar-2022: CLE Deshaun Watson - Traded - w/ pick for multiple draft picks
  • 20-Mar-2022: CLE Deshaun Watson - Signed - Five-year contract (through 2026)
  • 05-Sep-2020: HOU Deshaun Watson - Re-signed - Four-year extension (through 2025)
  • 27-Apr-2020: HOU - Exercised Option - Fifth-year option on rookie contract
  • 05-Feb-2018: HOU - Off IR - torn ACL
  • 03-Nov-2017: HOU - On IR - torn ACL
  • 12-May-2017: HOU - Signed, Draft Choice - Four-year contract (fifth-year option)
NFL Week
OppPtsPass
Com
Pass
Att
Pass
Yds
Pass
TDs
300
Yds
Rush
Yds
Rush
TDs
Fum
Lost
Int
2023 Season103.95105171111570142124
Week 1CIN23.2016291541045101
Week 2@PIT16.9522402351022021
Week 3TEN24.0527332892016000
Week 4BAL0.00000000000
Week 5bye
Week 6SF0.00000000000
Week 7@IND-0.75155000001
Week 8@SEA0.00000000000
Week 9ARI21.1519302192022000
Week 10@BAL19.3520342131037001
Week 11PIT0.00000000000
Week 12@DEN0.00000000000
Week 13@LAR0.00000000000
Week 14JAX0.00000000000
Week 15CHI0.00000000000
Week 16@HOU0.00000000000
Week 17NYJ0.00000000000
Week 18@CIN0.00000000000
Wildcard@HOU0.00000000000