Bold Predictions for Browns' Individual Stat Leaders in 2024 NFL Season

The Cleveland Browns' offensive numbers in 2024 rely on the health of Deshaun Watson.

Watson only played in six games in each of the last two seasons and has thrown for just over 2,200 yards during his time in Ohio.

The Browns offense, at least on paper, could be one of the best in the NFL.

Nick Chubb is expected to return to play at some point in the first half of the season, and if he plays well, he will be a solid complement to Jerome Ford.

Ford has the potential to put up career numbers while Chubb works back to 100 percent on-field strength.

Watson could produce some of the best passing numbers of his career, if healthy, because he has two strong wide outs in Amari Cooper and Jerry Jeudy and one of the NFL's best tight ends in David Njoku.

Deshaun Watson Regains 4,000 Yard Form

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BEREA, OHIO - MAY 30: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns throws a pass during an OTA offseason workout at their CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 30, 2024 in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

A 4,000-yard passing season is not an unrealistic goal for a healthy Watson.

He threw for over 4,000 yards in 2018 and 2020 with the Houston Texans. Those are the only two seasons in which he played a full complement of regular-season games.

Watson's arm may have to carry the Browns in certain games because of the questions surrounding Chubb's return to play.

The Browns' ceiling is to contend for the AFC North title with one of the healthiest passing games in the league.

In that scenario, Watson likely cruises past the 4,000-yard mark thanks to his trio of elite pass catchers in Cooper, Jeudy and Njoku.

Browns fans, though, have yet to see the best-case scenario play out, which is why 2024 is such a crucial year for Watson and the franchise.

Jerome Ford Leads Team in Rushing Yards

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HOUSTON, TX - JANUARY 13: Jerome Ford #34 of the Cleveland Browns looks on from the field during an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on January 13, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Jerome Ford will be Cleveland's starting running back in Week 1.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Monday morning that the Browns will keep Chubb on the PUP list and he will miss at least the first four games.

The Browns seem to be playing a slow, long-term game with Chubb's recovery, a move that will benefit Ford.

Ford ran for 813 yards on 204 carries last season. He should reach the same level in a starting role for a majority of the campaign.

No one knows when Chubb will return and the form he will be in if he returns at any point.

At this juncture, the Browns need Ford to be the team's top rusher and for Pierre Strong Jr. and D'Onta Foreman to fill in the depth behind him.

Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy Combine for 2,000 Receiving Yards

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HOUSTON, TX - JANUARY 13: Amari Cooper #2 of the Cleveland Browns lines up against the Houston Texans during the first half of the AFC Wild Card playoff game at NRG Stadium on January 13, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Cooper and Jeudy could be one of the best wide receiver tandems in the NFL in 2024.

The two-pronged attack at wide receiver can combine for 2,000 receiving yards with a healthy Watson at the helm.

In 2020, Watson's last 4,000-yard season, the top two Houston wide outs combined for 2,029 yards.

If Watson can get that level of production out of Brandin Cooks and Will Fuller, he can get at least 2,000 yards from Cooper and Jeudy.

Cooper has six 1,000-yard seasons on his resume, while Jeudy went over 750 yards in three of his four seasons with the Denver Broncos.

Njoku will get his fair share of receiving yards as well, but the majority of the wide receiver production will come from the top two targets, who could be fantasy football darlings in 2024.