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        FANTASY FOOTBALL NEWS

        Joe Flacco Named Starter for the Cleveland Browns

        By Shane Hallam | Updated on Mon, Aug 18 2025 5:27 PM UTC
        Joe Flacco Headshot

        The Browns have named QB Joe Flacco their starter to open the season. He beat out Kenny Pickett for the job, while rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders were never serious threats. Flacco’s presence should be a boost for the Browns’ WRs and TEs compared with the alternatives.

        What They're Saying

        Cleveland Browns: “Joe Cool leading the way. We've named Joe Flacco our starting quarterback.”

        2025 Fantasy Football Impact

        Flacco being named the starter wasn’t surprising, though Pickett was in contention. The Browns offense is still expected to rank among the league’s worst, but Flacco has shown he can support fantasy WRs.

        Last season, Colts WRs averaged 4.83 more fantasy points per game with Flacco than with Anthony Richardson. Two years ago, he started five games for the Browns, throwing for 1,616 yards and 13 TDs.

        That should be enough to support the fantasy output for the receiving threats on the team.

        He isn’t a fantasy option in 1-QB leagues and remains just a late-round pick in Superflex, though Flacco could be streamable against weak defenses.

        Other Winners & Losers

        The real winners are the Browns receivers, including TE David Njoku. WRs Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman, and Diontae Johnson should benefit from Flacco’s experience and short passing preference.

        All can be drafted comfortable at their ADPs

        Shane Hallam Author Image
        Shane Hallam, Writer
        Shane has over 20 years of experience creating content and playing every fantasy football format, including redraft, dynasty, devy, C2C, IDP, CFF, and more. He is a multi-year winner of $500 dynasty leagues on the FFPC and a King's Classic Champion. Shane utilizes deep film and scheme study to enhance his fantasy performance. He led the industry in 2024 preseason Kicker Rankings and ranked second in preseason QB Rankings. He also ranked eighth in preseason IDP rankings.
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