Who Should I Start? Noah Brown or Jaelon Darden

Wednesday, March 19, 10:30 PM

Washington Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown (kidney) was cleared two weeks ago to beginning working out this offseason after he missed the end of the 2024 campaign due to a kidney laceration that he suffered in early December in Week 12. Brown had a strong first season in Washington in 11 games (nine starts), catching 35 of his 56 targets for 453 yards, with his only touchdown coming on a dramatic and successful Hail Mary to help beat the Chicago Bears. "I feel like I'm built for this, and I'll come back stronger," Brown said. The 29-year-old was re-signed to a one-year deal to return to D.C. for the 2025 season, but it will be harder for him to make an impact in fantasy after Washington traded for Pro Bowl pass-catcher Deebo Samuel Sr. Brown should still have a role in the Commanders' offense, but as things currently stand, he's looking like more of a WR5/6 in deeper fantasy leagues.

Saturday, September 7, 1:12 PM

The Cleveland Browns signed wide receiver Jaelon Darden to their active 53-man roster on Saturday and also elevated cornerback Mike Ford Jr. and offensive tackle Germain Ifedi to the active roster ahead of their Week 1 showdown in Cleveland against the Dallas Cowboys. The Browns released former third-rounder David Bell earlier this week, so the 25-year-old Darden will essentially replace him on Cleveland's roster as additional receiver depth behind Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy and Elijah Moore. Darden will be competing for playing time with Cedric Tillman and rookie Jamari Thrash and is off the fantasy radar everywhere for now. Darden was originally drafted in the fourth round in 2021 out of North Texas by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Last year in 16 games with the Browns, he only served as a kick returner on special teams and wasn't involved in the offense.