It’s gotten late pretty early over there in Cleveland, hasn’t it? Last place in the uber-competitive AFC North. A quarterback with some historically-atrocious numbers. Some of what little light was left in that clubhouse is now extinguished, with Amari Cooper already settling in as #18 in Buffalo blue.
But, like—also not, I guess, with regards to it getting late early? Deshaun Watson is still starting every game, and he’s clearly the primary problem. Maybe Cleveland was just doing Amari Cooper a favor by shipping him off. It’s such a beleaguered organization right now (the Haslam Group is also planning to move the Browns stadium, much to the dismay of Cleveland residents, including the mayor) that it almost feels fruitless to search for any fantasy value on that roster.
The reality is, however, that Cooper leaves behind a massive void of targets to be absorbed by someone. Last week, the Browns used a carousel of D’onta Foreman, Pierre Strong Jr., and Deshaun Watson out of the backfield on designed run plays after Jerome Ford (hamstring) left the game. As of Thursday night, Ford has yet to practice this week.
To unbury the lede: Nick Chubb is slated to make his return as the Browns’ starting running back this week. The question restless fantasy managers are all asking, however, is related to who might be in line for the most work—and, particularly, the most passing game work—behind him.
I’m backing Pierre Strong Jr., and think you should stash him. Here’s why.
Analysis
Let’s just start here: in Week 6 against Philadelphia, Strong Jr. saw the most offensive snaps he’s yet been afforded in 2024 (28).
Foreman out-carried Strong ten-to-eight, but Strong Jr. out-gained him in yards (43 to 31) and also ran three times the number of routes as Foreman. On his five routes, Foreman caught both his targets for 16 yards. Strong Jr.’s 16 routes yielded three targets, two receptions, and 35 yards.
One thing important to note: Strong Jr.’s longest gain through the air was on a 21-yard screen play. This is remarkable because it means Stefanski already has Strong Jr. built into the gameplan on high-leverage passing-down situations. A screen, too, is as much misdirection as it is anything. If you read the tea leaves here, what you might be reading is a coaching staff that believes Strong Jr. is someone to whom they want to deliver the ball in space.
A clear sign he’s become more of a necessary offensive asset: his special teams plays have gone down from as many as 23 in Week 1 to zero in Week 6. Each week his total special teams snaps went down, Strong Jr.’s offensive snaps increased.
I imagine it’ll be Foreman who might walk away with the most carries against the Bengals this week. But, seeing as the Bengals are expected to hang a number on the Browns, there might be clear passing-down situations where Deshaun checks it off to Pierre Strong Jr.
He might not have an above-replacement-level week this week, but I bet he flashes again on the field such that he’s worthy of a bench stash.
Bottom Line
This is a Browns team desperate for any bright spot after breaking Cleveland fans’ hearts by shipping off Amari Cooper. The season was slipping away, but Cooper was one of the few tenets of a Browns game that could actually excite.
Other than a big catch by Elijah Moore, there was no Brown more exciting than Pierre Strong Jr. on the field last week. Strong Jr. is averaging two targets per game right now. I like him to see three-to-five per game going forward, with five-to-seven carries, depending on injuries and workload.
He is, I think, a better running back stash play than guys like Jaylen Wright, Audric Estime, Carson Steele, and Emmanuel Wilson. Go get him.
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