NFL training season is here, ladies and gentlemen. Prepare yourself for the onslaught of information, rumors and exaggerated articles. But fantasy managers shouldn’t be careful with the flow of information – Scott Pianowski offers one important piece of information for every team. Next up is the AFC North.
Cleveland Browns
David Njoku finally realized his immense potential last year, mapping like TE5. But it’s worrying that the increase happened mostly when journeyman Joe Flacco took over the starting role at the end of the year. Njoku has yet to show any meaningful chemistry with starter Deshaun Watson, and it’s been four years since Watson has shown superstar ability — injuries and off-field issues, not to mention a lengthy suspension, appear to have sapped Watson’s confidence and upside. .
As detectable as Njoku appears to be on a regular basis, I can’t trust Watson to call 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 on Njoku, he will be a reluctant fadeaway for me during the early draft season.
Pittsburgh Steelers
It’s easy to build a case against running back Najee Harris. His Fantasy rating has dropped in each of the last two seasons, and Jaylen Warren was the most explosive last season. The Steelers declined Harris’ fifth-year optionthen he enters a lame duck season.
But perhaps some of these circumstances make Harris a decent fantasy value. Keep in mind that he had more carries than Warren in every game last season and also had twice as many touchdowns. The Steelers rebuilt their offensive line in the 2024 draft and now welcome offensive coordinator Arthur Smith – one of the happiest players in the NFL. Harris is no longer a fantasy pick, but there is something to be said for the boring veteran jam.
Baltimore crows
The Crows have offensive line issues and Derrick Henry turned 30 in January. If that’s enough to put you off selecting Henry, I understand. But the Ravens found a way to put Gus Edwards in the end zone 13 times last year, and Henry is obviously a superior defender 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 these heavy defensive fronts.
Henry has never been a great pass catcher and Lamar Jackson doesn’t play much behind his back anyway, so Henry takes a beating in any PPR-related format. But this certainly looks like a Super Bowl-contending team, and Baltimore figures to rely on Henry for short touchdowns and fourth-quarter runs to get a lead. Henry’s Yahoo ADP is notably higher than his global ADPbut I feel comfortable considering him in the second round of the draft, ideally accompanied by some signature receivers.
Cincinnati Bengals
When I think of Tee Higgins, the phrase “capped upside” comes to mind. Joe Burrow has 97 touchdown passes in his career, and a modest 19 went to Higgins; Ja’Marr Chase is eight touchdowns ahead of Higgins despite playing one less season. Interestingly, Higgins was more productive with Jake Browning than Burrow last year.
It may be prudent to dismiss Higgins’ stats from last year given that he and Burrow both suffered injuries. Still, it’s hard to miss that Higgins was tied for 39th in PPR scoring of half a 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 reached 1,100 yards. I don’t plan on drafting Higgins this summer unless he’s my WR3.
