The Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints are both desperately trying to keep their playoff hopes alive in tough divisions. They’ve also had to deal with plenty of personnel changes since the Saints are dealing with injuries, and the Browns made changes at quarterback and wide receiver. Desperate teams do tend to play some amazing football, though, and there may be several players in new roles to target in this matchup.
Cleveland Browns at New Orleans Saints Start Em’
David Njoku (Draft Kings Price 5.5K, FanDuel Price 6.6K)
Njoku is coming off of a weak performance against the Chargers, but that may cause other players to overlook him. The fact is that only a few tight ends are going to have outstanding games this season, so it’s good to pick up players with low floors who can perform consistently. It’s also much easier to throw on the Saint’s defense rather than the Chargers, and Winston likes throwing to Njoku.
Nick Chubb (Draft Kings Price 6K, Fan Duel Price 6.2K)
Chubb has only had several games back from his injury. Simply due to his talent, though, it’s only time before he starts seeing more touches. The Saints tend to give up big games to running backs, as shown by Bijan Robinson’s huge game against them in Week 10. This might be a great opportunity to remind the world how good Nick Chubb is at running the football.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling (Draft Kings Price 4.4K, Fan Duel Price 5.9K)
Not only is Valdes-Scantling coming off a big game against the Falcons, but he is also filling in a huge role in a wide receiver core that’s been obliterated by injury. With no Chris Olave or Rasheed Shaheed to count out, look for Derek Carr to throw to Valdes-Scantling often.
Cleveland Browns at New Orleans Saints Sit Em’
Jerry Jeudy (Draft Kings Price 5.4 K, Fan Duel Price 5.8K)
None of the Browns’ receivers can really fill the absence left by Amari Cooper. Jerry Judy might have once been considered the next best in line, but so far Cedric Tillman has outperformed him. So, if Winston would rather look towards Tillman or Njoku when he drops back to pass, then it’s going to be really hard for Jeudy to see the football.
Jameis Winston (Draft Kings Price 5.5K, Fan Duel Price 7.2K)
It is unlikely that Winston would throw three picks again, but the Saint’s defense is still happy that Winston can still be loose with the football. Basically, this quarterback is the epitome of a high ceiling/high floor. He can get loads of points or he can throw three interceptions. There are other cheap options out there that are more consistent than Winston this week.
Jerome Ford (Draft Kings Price 4.4K, Fan Duel Price 5.2K)
As Nick Chubb gets more carries, Jerome Ford will become less useful. He also hasn’t broken the 60-yard mark in any of the games he has played all season except one (against Jacksonville). Even for players looking for a cheap running back this week, there are safer options than Jerome Ford out there.
Cleveland Browns at New Orleans Saints Lock
Alvin Kamara (Draft Kings Price 8.2K, Fan Duel Price 8.2K)
While the Saints may be banged up at wide receiver, at least their star running back is healthy. Kamara should be getting a healthy bulk of reps against the Browns, who don’t have the same defense as they once had. While Kamara has only had one game over 100 yards (against the Panthers), he will always be a shot to repeat those numbers.
Cleveland Browns at New Orleans Saints Fade
Cedric Wilson Jr. (Draft Kings Price 4.3K, Fan Duel Price 5.1K)
Wilson Jr. is questionable for the game against the Browns, so it’s not even guaranteed that he would play. Even if he does, though, it’s doubtful that he would see the ball often. Wilson Jr.s season high was 57 yards in one game, and he will have to fight for targets against Valdez-Scantling, Kamara, and Taysom Hill.
