Mike Wright reacted to Zach Jackson’s Athletic report that Joe Flacco is currently favored over Kenny Pickett to open Week 1 for Cleveland and laid out why that would be a windfall for fantasy gamers. Wright stressed that Flacco is still a "professional quarterback" capable of eclipsing 4,000 passing yards—something he believes Pickett flat-out cannot do, pointing to Pickett’s career-high seven TD passes and the lowest touchdown rate ever through 25 starts. Because Flacco is willing to test tight windows downfield, Wright bumped Jerry Jeudy and David Njoku up his projections, saying each would move into every-week starter territory if Flacco is under center. He also projected the Browns to jettison whichever veteran loses the competition, meaning an even clearer path to snaps for the winner. Season-long drafters, according to Wright, should build in upside for Browns pass-catchers now and be ready to pounce on Flacco as a late-round super-flex flier if the camp reports continue trending his way.

Wilson forecasted that Joe Flacco will open 2024 as Cleveland’s starting quarterback. He flat-out said he does not expect Deshaun Watson to ever take another snap for the Browns and doubts Kenny Pickett even makes the final roster. Cleveland drafted Dillon Gabriel in Round 3 and Shadur Sanders in Round 5, but Wilson views both picks as developmental. He believes both rookies will start at some point this season, yet Flacco’s experience and last year’s late-season form give him the inside track for Week 1. Actionable angle: in superflex and season-long leagues, stash Flacco late and fade Watson in drafts; bettors looking at Browns Week-1 lines should price Flacco in, not Watson.