Deshaun Watson vs. Shedeur Sander Fantasy Football Outlook 2026
Deshaun Watson vs. Shedeur Sander
Fantasy Football Outlook 2026
By Muntradamus
BEAST DOME NATION.
The Cleveland Browns have been awful for a long time, even when Joe Flacco and Amari Cooper took them to the playoffs only a few years ago, it still feels like they have been very awful for a long time. Just when the Browns were trying to shrug off the title of being awful, they just gave up their best player in Myles Garrett in a trade to the Rams. While the Browns are awful, and they tried to make some noise in the NFL Draft taking two talented WRs (Concepion & Boston BEAST or BUST). No matter what they do at any position, the success of the Football team will come down to two players. Deshaun Watson & Shedeur Sanders.
Last season the Browns QB room was a joke. Uncle Joe Flacco was still around, only to lose the job to Dillon Gabriel, only for Gabriel to lose the job to Sanders. Gabriel also lost his number to Jared Verse when the Myles Garett trade went down. While Gabriel was trash, and a 1st Round Pick, Sanders was a little bit better. Sanders had a highlight game against the Titans where he threw for 300+ Yards/3 TDs and ran for a TD. It was an amazing game and the only bright light on another last place season for the Browns. Browns still lost the game, but it was not Shedeur’s fault.
Heading into this season, Deshaun Watson is healthy after missing all of 2025 after an Achilles injury. That is probably the one injury that will ruin Deshaun Watson as a running QB. Throwing the ball, Watson has gone from a good passing QB, to a horrible one. Inconsistent throws, almost like a Justin Fields type QB, except he can no longer run. While Sanders is no hot shot himself, the Browns find themselves in a true QB battle for the #1 spot. Sanders was able to record 200+ passing yards in 2/7 starts, the Raiders and Titans are the only teams that were not able to contain him, they are also the two worst teams in the AFC with the Browns. Browns new coach Todd Monken has not picked a starting QB yet.
At the end of the day, Deshaun Watson is getting paid $10 Million dollars to be the QB for the Browns. The Browns are going to let Deshaun Watson prove he is their starting QB and will almost certainly start Week 1. His leash will be long enough to the point where he either does not deserve to be in the NFL anymore because of talent, or the Browns are out of the playoff race. I do not see the Browns starting 0-3 then turning Sanders to save the season, the Browns would have to fall to 0-6 or 0-7, and only then will the Browns realize that Watson is no longer viable and it is time to turn to the future. Watson would be flat out cut at that point, he is a Free Agent at the end of the season and the Browns do not need him in the locker room as he is already a questionable character.
Right now the Browns have a young core of Rookie WRs, two 2nd year RBs they like, and Sanders as their future QB. As good as that is, which is not very good, the Browns need another top draft pick this upcoming season to build to this team. Especially since their defense just took a huge hit losing the best pass rusher in the NFL.
WINNER OF THE BATTLE & STARTER
DESHAUN WATSON
As far as Fantasy Football goes with Deshaun Watson. He is not a QB1, he is a not QB2. He is viable in Super Flex Leagues as a bench option, and he makes a sexy name on the Waiver Wire. Sexy because of his past success, but if you pick him up at some point, theres a good chance you will drop him again.