Green Bay gets a big lift as Zach Tom and Aaron Banks return to practice in limited fashion, with Bo Melton back as well, ahead of a Week 3 duel with Cleveland. Cleveland’s defense is elite—No. 1 in total and rushing D—and will test Green Bay’s rebuilt line that has struggled to start the season. Belton flashed in Tom’s absence, while Jordan Morgan works to adapt as Banks’ return shapes the interior. The trench battle should define the fantasy upside in this one.

The Bengals and Browns open with high heat, trading pregame barbs as Cleveland leans on a disruptive defensive front to pressure Cincinnati’s offense. Grant Delpit fires up his unit, praising the quickness and power of Isaiah McGuire, Alex Wright, and the presence of Myles Garrett while acknowledging Maliek Collins’ veteran savvy. Ja'Marr Chase quips back, leaning on their LSU bond to fuel the rivalry. With Garrett dealing with a hip concern, the Browns’ edge and interior mix will be pivotal on Sunday.

Chase and Delpit share a storied past at LSU, turning their matchup into a personal chess game: trash talk mixed with respect, and a chance to set the tone for both teams’ seasons. Cincinnati, coming in with a healthy O-line, aims to neutralize Cleveland’s front by mixing protection schemes and tempo. The Browns must navigate the hip injury to Garrett while sprucing up pressure from the perimeters and inside, testing the Bengals’ blockers early and often.

Dill on the Browns’ second preseason outing: Dillon Gabriel connected on 13 of 18 passes for 143 yards, delivering a crisp 71% completion rate and guiding Cleveland on a sustained opening drive before exiting at halftime. The eye-catching debut came with three Browns scoring drives and a first-half vibe of competence and ceiling, even as a busted-play pick-six lingered as a rough note.

The Cleveland defense stole the show, limiting Philadelphia to 88 yards on 44 plays and feeding off a growing rotation on the line. K.J. Henry’s quick-strike return of a Dorian Thompson-Robinson interception for a TD underscored the depth and potential pass rush. Undrafted receivers like Gage Larvadain and Ahmani Marshall flashed just enough to keep roster chatter buzzing, while Kaden Davis added another layer of reliability in the passing game.

With DTR mixing in, Gabriel’s strong first half promises meaningful competition for snaps in a Browns QB room that figures to hinge on development and depth mindfully. The non-starters formed a blueprint for the 53-man roster: a defense that can rotate without a drop-off and an offense with enough playmaking to keep defenses honest when the starters sit. Fantasy observers should monitor Gabriel’s command, the receiving corps’ growth, and how the Browns balance risk and upside in the final preseason tuneups.

Cleveland’s preseason opener highlighted a potential influx of disruptive pieces on defense. Rookie Carson Schwesinger flashed in limited action, posting 4 tackles and 2 assists over 13 snaps, with 3 run stops on five run-defense plays and a game-high run-defense grade per PFF. The Browns’ defensive line depth shone: Julian Okwara logged 2 sacks and 2 TFL, Alex Wright contributed a sack, and Adin Huntington added a sack and a TFL while racking up multiple special-teams stops. Mason Graham also saw 13 snaps with steady, if quiet, deployment. Carolina’s squad showed resilience, with Nathaniel Watson and Winston Reid racking tackles for the Panthers, and Chigozie Anusiem and Easton Mascarenas-Arnold among the defenders who hit solidly. The Browns allowed 1 TD, held Carolina to 25% on third down, logged 4 sacks and 251 yards allowed, underscoring a promising, depth-laden performance that could tilt roster decisions in the coming weeks. Fantasy takeaway centers on Schwesinger’s burst and the Browns’ edge rotation—Okwara and Wright in particular—plus the potential headline-grabbers at corner and depth linebackers vying for roles as the season nears.

The Cleveland Browns have completed their 2025 NFL Draft, addressing several critical needs after a disappointing 3-14 season. With a seven-player draft class, they aimed to strengthen positions including quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, and defense. Key picks include Mason Graham (DT), Carson Schwesinger (LB), and Quinshon Judkins (RB), all of whom are expected to contribute significantly. The addition of experienced quarterbacks Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett further solidifies the team's leadership on offense.

The Browns' roster now features a mix of fresh talent and seasoned veterans, with a focus on building a competitive team for the upcoming season. General manager Andrew Berry has hinted at potential trades post-draft, keeping fans hopeful for further enhancements. The revamped roster promises to bring an exciting dynamic as the Browns prepare for the 2025 campaign.