Dolphins vs. Browns: who should I start on my fantasy football team?
Welcome to the toilet bowl.
Ok – that might be a bit harsh, but what else do you call the matchup between two 1–5 teams in the Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins?
Add in the conditions for Sunday – 90% chance of rain with wind gusts up to 35 mph, according to The Weather Channel – and the game could get sloppy.
That, however, might not be necessarily a bad thing if you have either teams’ lead tailback. It’s a different story if you have their respective quarterbacks or pass catchers.
START
Browns RB Quinshon Judkins
The rookie running back has brought real juice to the Browns’ offense.
Since becoming the feature back in Week 2, Judkins has averaged nearly 77 yards per game, which ranks seventh among all rushers. That’s higher than Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs and Saquon Barkley.
With the Dolphins’ inability to stop the run and Sunday’s potential rainstorm, Judkins could be in for a huge day.
Dolphins RB De’Von Achane
Set it and forget it. Don’t think too much.
SIT
Browns QB Dillon Gabriel
Gabriel has a very small sample size as a starter.
Through two starts, the rookie signal caller has completed 56% of his passes for 411 yards and three touchdowns.
These, however, aren’t particularly thrilling stats from a fantasy perspective. Sunday will also be Gabriel’s first NFL start in terrible weather. Avoid the rookie at all costs.
Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa
The sixth-year quarterback has not had the best start to 2025.
Not only has the normally accurate signal caller already thrown the same amount of interceptions than he did in his 11-game, 2024 season, his seven picks are the third most in the NFL.
Now, Tagovailoa will go on the road to play in awful conditions. Even worse: he’ll have a future hall offamer in Myles Garrett on the other side. And if they move Garrett to line up against Larry Borom, it will be a long, long day for the former Alabama standout.
WAIT & SEE
Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle/ TE Darren Waller:
Both players’ inclusion in this section has nothing to do with skill.
Outside Achane, Waddle and Waller have emerged as focal points of the Dolphins’ offense following Tyreek Hill’s season-ending knee injury.
What concerns me, however, is the conditions. Put differently, how effective will the Dolphins’ passing attack be in storm?
Now if the conditions improve, throw both into your respective starting lineups. If not, you’ll have a tough decision to make.
Browns TE Harold Fannin Jr.
After an impressive seven-catch, 81-yard performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Fannin looked to be on the rise, especially now that tight end David Njoku won’t suit up due to a knee injury.
Again, the conditions should at least make you think twice about Fannin’s addition to the starting lineup. Don’t get me wrong – he still could have a big day amid the conditions. But if it’s as bad as meteorologists make it out to be, it might not be worth it.
What’s worse: the Dolphins have struggled against tight ends, making Fannin an even more worthwhile option.
Check the weather before Sunday’s 1 p.m. kickoff.
