3 Bengals Vs. Browns Week 1 Fantasy Takeaways

The biggest takeaway from this Week 1 matchup is how good Harold Fannin Jr looked for Cleveland . It was generally believed that David Njoku would be this team’s primary tight end, but Fannin catapulted that notion out the window with a stellar showing. 

Fannin pulled in seven receptions (on nine targets) for 63 total yards, playing in 72 percent of their snaps. While Njoku did play in more snaps (84 percent), he posted a utility rate of only nine percent (compared to Fannin’s 18).

Fannin also proved difficult to bring down, and, although it was against a largely unimpressive Cincinnati defensive unit, he should only grow more familiar and absorbent to NFL contact. At Bowling Green State University in 2024, he accrued 117 receptions for 1554 yards, so the potential for a big season is certainly there. 

Of the Browns’ tight ends (or even looking at every position in Week 1), Fannin looks to be a player who is worth picking up for any team. Considering he’s rostered in less than three percent of leagues across almost every platform, adding him is a move that could look genius within the next few weeks. 

Dylan Sampson Is Cleveland’s Lead Back

In their loss to Cincinnati, Dylan Sampson established himself as the clear lead-back for this Browns team. Rushing the ball 12 times for 29 yards (2.4 yards per attempt), the biggest impact he made was on the receiving end. 

Sampson pulled in eight receptions for 64 yards, averaging eight yards per catch. While these numbers may not stand out on the stat sheet, Sampson was only used in 43 percent of snaps (largely due to Jerome Ford being expected to take RB1 duties). 

By the end of the game, however, Sampson had proved he could move the ball both on the ground and through the air. The signing of Quinshon Judkins will place him on the field soon, which will no doubt affect Sampson’s workload, but he’s shown that he can be efficient with the touches he’s given. 

Sampson clearly earned the trust of the Browns organization, and his combination of rushing and receiving should consistently pepper the stat sheet. It’s a long shot at this point to say he’ll be worth starting every week, but he can absolutely help a team that needs depth at running back. 

Noah Fant Will Be More Involved Than Anticipated

The Bengals entered the season with Noah Fant listed as neither the first nor second-string tight end, but, as was predicted, this isn’t a team that views TEs that way. Rather, each player at the position is deployed for their strengths. 

This is why Mike Gesicki (listed as the TE1) played much more in the slot than, say, Drew Sample, who’s one of the better blocking TEs in the league. This is also why of the Bengals’ offensive skill position players, the fifth, sixth, and seventh in snap count were each a tight end.

Fant played in 50 percent of their snap counts (outpaced only by Sample’s 69 percent), saw five targets, and turned that into four receptions for 26 yards and a touchdown. With an already established on-field synergy with Joe Burrow, Fant’s production should only continue as he becomes more and more acquainted with the offense.

While it can’t be said that Fant is clearly the best Bengal at the position, he is clearly poised for a big role in this Cincinnati offense and could be a weekly streamer for a team lacking TE. There will be weeks he puts up single digits, but there are also multiple touchdown games on his horizon if he can keep his momentum rolling. 

End Of My Bengals Browns Fantasy Rant

Despite this being a typical weird Week 1 matchup that neither team feels entirely good or bad about, some tangible fantasy nuggets could be taken away. Fannin displayed an ability to put points on the board in various ways, Sampson is the clear RB1 for Cleveland, and Fant will be much more involved than anticipated. 

For fantasy managers needing a tight end or running back, any of these three could end up being an excellent option (even if only on a week-to-week basis). Especially considering the player of the three with the highest rostered percentage across fantasy leagues is Sampson, at just under 50 percent, meaning they should almost all be available.