NFL training camp is here, ladies and gentlemen. Brace yourselves for the onslaught of information, rumors, and pieces of misleading propaganda. But fantasy managers shouldn’t be wary of the influx of information — Scott Pianowski has everything you need to know about one key nugget for each team. Next up is the AFC North.
[NFC fantasy footnotes: South | East | West | North (coming soon) ]
[AFC fantasy footnotes: South | East | North | West (coming soon) ]
Cleveland Browns
David Njoku finally cashed in on his immense potential last year, emerging as a TE5. But it’s concerning that the peak came mainly when pro Joe Flacco took over as the starting quarterback late in the year. Njoku has yet to show any significant chemistry with starter Deshaun Watson, and it’s been four years since Watson has shown superstar ability — injuries and off-the-field issues, not to mention a lengthy suspension, seem to have sapped Watson’s confidence and potential.
As much as Njoku seems to be getting picked up regularly, I can’t trust Watson to pay that. Sometimes it’s a case of loving the real-life player but being nervous about the fantasy prospects; unless the draft room gives me a modest discount for Njoku, he’ll be a reluctant fade for me during the teeth of draft season.
Pittsburgh Steelers
It’s easy to build a case against running back Najee Harris. His fantasy rating has declined in each of the past two seasons, and Jaylen Warren was the most explosive back last season. The Steelers declined Harris’ fifth-year option, so he enters a lame duck season.
But perhaps some of these circumstances set Harris up to be a decent fantasy value. Keep in mind that he had more carries than Warren in every game last season, and he also had twice as many touchdowns. The Steelers rebuilt their offensive line in the 2024 draft, and now they welcome offensive coordinator Arthur Smith — one of the happiest run play callers in the NFL. Harris is no longer a hot fantasy pick, but there’s something to be said for the stodgy veteran jam.
Baltimore Crows
The Ravens have questions on the offensive line, and Derrick Henry turned 30 in January. If that’s enough to scare you away from drafting Henry, I get it. But the Ravens found a way to get Gus Edwards into the end zone 13 times last year, and Henry is clearly a superior back to Edwards. Henry also handled regular eight-man boxes in Tennessee last year (about a third of the time); Baltimore’s variety of offensive threats should discourage those run-heavy defensive fronts.
Henry has never been a great pass catcher, and Lamar Jackson doesn’t throw much to his back anyway, so Henry takes a hit in any PPR-related format. But this certainly looks like a Super Bowl contender, and Baltimore should lean on Henry for short touchdowns and fourth-quarter runs when they open up leads. Henry’s Yahoo ADP is notably higher than his overall ADP, but I’m comfortable considering him in the second round of drafts, preferably flanked by a few signature receivers.
Cincinnati Canes
When I think of Tee Higgins, the phrase “capped upside” comes to mind. Joe Burrow has 97 career touchdown passes, and a modest 19 have gone to Higgins; Ja’Marr Chase is eight touchdowns ahead of Higgins despite playing one fewer season. Interestingly, Higgins was actually more productive with Jake Browning than Burrow was last year.
It might be prudent to throw out Higgins’ stats from last year, given that he and Burrow dealt with injuries. Still, it’s hard not to see that Higgins was tied for 39th in PPR scoring per half-point per game, finishing behind players like Adam Thielen and Kendrick Bourne. Higgins never scored more than seven times in any season, never commanded more than 110 targets, and never topped 1,100 yards. I won’t want to draft Higgins this summer unless he’s my WR3.
