Consistency in Coaching is just as important as the players’ consistency. The Cleveland Browns made big changes to their staff this year. Can consistency be created in the offseason to make a difference in 2026?
Coaching Consistency: None. The Cleveland Browns offense was a had a major coaching overhaul this season, bringing in Baltimore’s Todd Monken to be Head Coach, and Travis Switzer, also from Baltimore, to be Offensive Coordinator. So, what we’re going to look at is how new HC Todd Monken and OC Todd Switzer are going to try to make the Browns into an offense similar to the Baltimore Ravens. That being said, in our in our drafts before mid-August we might have to guess who is going to start for the Browns. As of now, all the information indicates that DeShaun Watson will get first dibs on starting the season.
Quarterback: As of now, Deshaun Watson is in line to have the first shot to start for the Browns. The last time he started an NFL game was in 2024. The last time he started more than seven games in a season was 2020! He has torn both Achilles tendons. In 2018, 2019, and 2020, he had three beautiful, Lamar Jackson-esque type seasons, which is why Deshaun Watson might be their guy, because he is similar to Lamar Jackson when he is healthy. Since 2020 though, he has a high of 175 rushing yards in one season. I’ve probably rushed 175 yards in my own house just getting nachos and wings while he sat on the bench for two different teams. If Deshaun Watson is named as the Browns QB, I am not drafting him. You can, but I’d make him the third QB on my roster if I’m in a league with a long bench. If you want to further damage your fantasy teams, the other options at QB for the Browns are Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. Obviously, Monken and Switzer are hoping to create another Baltimore offense in Cleveland.
Wide Receivers: The wide receiver room in Cleveland offers some hope. Returning Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman offer consistency. The team added highly regarded rookies KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston. (BTW, Denzel is not the son of David Boston.) What you will see from this group is that Jerry Jeudy will be the number one receiver, but may lose targets to both the tight end position and the two rookies. Two seasons ago, Jerry Jeudy was outstanding, then last season his numbers dipped due to the ascension of Harold Fannin Jr. When you look at this WR group, initially Jeudy should get the highest percentage of down-the-field shots, similar to Zay Flowers in Baltimore. He will, however, lose catches to Denzel Boston, who is 6’4″ and 209 lbs. I’m seeing Jerry Jeudy carrying the offense between the 20s, and Boston will get the WR shots inside the 20 and in the end zone. Tillman will play a similar role on the other side of the field. KC Concepcion will likely play the slot receiver. This is all relative. The slot receiver for the Rams is very good. For the Browns, not so consistent.
Tight Ends: Now, here is where the Browns get fun. Harold Fannin Jr. is the real deal at TE in Cleveland. The only thing that could slow him down is bad quarterback play, and what are the chances of that? This season, stalwart Njoku is gone, so it’s wheels up for Fannin, depending on the QB play. Keep in mind that the Browns have three very questionable QB’s and who bails out a bad QB? That’s right, it’s the TE. Harold Fannin Jr. should get plenty of bailout catches this season.
Running Backs: In the past, Monken and Switzer have very consistently leaned on Derrick Henry. The question is, can Quinshon Judkins be a Derrick Henry approximation? Judkins was pretty consistent for the Browns last season until he broke his leg and dislocated his ankle in week 16. Recovery from the off-season surgery is estimated at 4-6 months. We will know more after the mini-camp in June. Last season, Quinshon’s stats were not Derrick Henry good, but he was consistently the little engine that could. Until the season-ending injury, he was getting heavy usage and producing solid numbers. This season, the team is helping Quinshon out by drafting two offensive linemen in its first three draft picks. They also added two new offensive linemen via free agency. The o-line should offer better consistency than last season, and that will help Judkins.
Initially, I was very skeptical of the Browns’ ability, with Monken and Switzer, to approximate the Baltimore offense. Outside of the QB position, it looks like they’ve done as good a job as they reasonably could. With a better o-line, the passing and run games should be better, pending Judkins’ recovery and return to form. The wide receivers have been upgraded, and I’m seriously considering drafting Harold Fannin as my TE 1, because I believe he can be as good and consistent as Mark Andrews was in his prime.
Stay tuned, next up the Las Vegas Raiders!
