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The Browns were stuck in the mud in 2025. With Deshaun Watson out all year, recovering from an Achilles injury, the Browns went through a host of quarterbacks—Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel, and Sheduer Sanders. It was Sanders that stuck the back half of the season, but the wins didn’t follow. After a five-win season, the team parted ways with Head Coach Kevin Stefanski. Now, with Todd Monken at the helm, the Browns will try to right the ship. Can they? Let’s dive in.

Off-Season Changes

With Stefanski now in Atlanta, Monken takes over. As a result, Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz stepped down. That’s a lot of knowledge to replace. The team also dealt Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams. While the trade brought back a great young player in Jared Verse—and more—it signals the end of an era for the Browns. The Browns also saw veteran running back Jerome Ford and veteran tight end David Njoku depart, along with most of last year’s offensive line.

The Browns did work on the line. They spent their top First-Round draft pick to grab tackle Spencer Fano. They also added guard Zion Johnson and Teven Jenkins, and center Elgton Jenkins. The team also added pieces on defense, nabbing edge Julian Okwara, linebacker Quincy Williams, and a host of cornerbacks including Damarri Mathis and Tyler Hall.

But a big focus in the draft was the passing game, specifically the receiver position. The team spent a second First-Round pick on K.C. Concepcion and a Second-Round pick on Denzel Boston. At Texas A&M last year, he caught 61 passes for 919 yards and nine touchdowns. Boston, playing for Washington, caught 61 passes for 881 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Fantasy Impact

The quarterback battle comes down to Watson and Sanders. I’m not bullish about either. Whoever wins will be a QB3 for me, though I lean Watson for some reason. In the backfield, it’s Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson. I think Judkins will get enough work to be an RB2 if the line can hold up. Sampson is a good handcuff and a deep league flex option.

In the passing game, Concepcion and Boston will join Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman. The passing game wasn’t much to write home about. Will it be substantially different in 2026? It’s hard to say what the quarterbacks will provide. I like Concepcion and Boston long-term, but I’m weary of what either can consistently provide in 2025. I do like tight end Harold Fannin, who was a star as a rookie. He’s a TE1 for me.

Prediction

I think five wins is probably the ceiling for the Browns. The offense might be a little better, but I wager the defense will be a little worse. It’s not an incredibly tough division, but the Browns still have some work to do.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.