Bailey

Zappe

Zappe’s night started off about as bad as it could get when he threw a pick-six on the team’s second possession, book ending his game with another interception on the team’s final possession in the red zone. He got the spot start for a Browns team clearly looking towards the future. Another top pick could be spent on a quarterback in the coming NFL Draft as they appear ready to cut bait with Deshaun Watson this offseason, particularly considering their future at the position does not appear to be on the current roster. Zappe will likely head back to free agency in the coming months.

Dorian Thompson-Robinson played through a calf injury as the Browns’ starter last week, completing just 24-of-47 passes for 170 yards and one touchdown. The team is evidently ready to see what Zappe has in store. The third-year player has flashed talent at times, playing for the Patriots in his first two seasons. He is not a recommended QB1 starter in Week 18.

Jameis Winston (shoulder) is apparently only in line for emergency work. You already were probably barely interested in starting Thompson-Robinson in superflex leagues, but the idea that he could lose some playing time to Zappe makes him almost impossible to start. Zappe has not seen time this year, but had a 1272/6/9 line for the Patriots in 2023 while spelling Mac Jones. It’s highly unlikely he’d give the Browns a spark, but it’d be hard to believe he’d be worse than Thompson-Robinson has been thus far.

Implied in that is that Jameis Winston (shoulder) wouldn’t be a sure bet to start if DTR isn’t able to go. Folks, we have a non-zero chance of Bailey Zappe time against the Dolphins in Week 17. We just thought you should know, might want to prioritize the Dolphins D/ST. (As if you weren’t doing that anyway after Thompson-Robinson’s first start.)

Winston is listed as questionable with a shoulder injury. Bailey Zappe will serve as the backup to Dorian Thompson-Robinson. The Browns will list Winston as inactive, meaning he can only enter the game if both Zappe and DTR get hurt. For fantasy managers praying for a Winston takeover in the second half, garbage time will not be your salvation this week. The quarterback situation takes Jerry Jeudy from a borderline WR1 ranking to a measly WR3 projection for his date with Cincinnati.

Zappe had been on the Chiefs practice squad this season. The Browns last week lost Deshaun Watson for the season with an Achilles injury. Zappe will likely be an emergency third quarterback on game days behind Jameis Winston and Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Zappe in 2023 played in ten games for the Patriots, completing 60 percent of his passes for six touchdowns and nine interceptions. He ranked 35th in out 36 qualifying QBs in EPA per play.

Zappe was waived — again — by the Patriots, but the former fourth-round pick out of Western Kentucky might have failed up. Kansas City kept just two quarterbacks this year: some guy named Patrick and Carson Wentz, so Zappe will begin the year as the QB3 with a chance to be active — but not a fantasy recommendation — if either of those players were to miss time in 2024.

It’s the second year in a row Zappe has been cut loose at final cuts. He’s unlikely to be brought back this time after the Pats signed Jacoby Brissett and used a lottery pick on Drake Maye. 25-year-old Zappe’s 2023 lowlight was a game-sealing pick on a fake snap. Zappe’s phone won’t be ringing off the hook for practice squad/No. 3 help. Also waived/released by the Patriots on Tuesday were S Joshuah Bledsoe, T Kellen Diesch, OL Liam Fornadel, LB Joe Giles-Harris, RB Kevin Harris, RB Terrell Jennings, LB Kobe Jones, WR Matt Landers, G Atonio Mafi, DE Jotham Russell, K Chad Ryland, S A.J. Thomas, CB Shaun Wade, WR David Wallis and TE Mitchell Wilcox.

Maye started OTAs playing behind starter Jacoby Brissett and backup Bailey Zappe. This should not be read as a major development as the team is likely just giving Maye an opportunity to play against higher-quality defenders and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt reiterated “Jacoby, again, is our starter.”

We shouldn’t read too much into this, but it is worth noting where the rookie currently stands in the pecking order. The Patriots don’t appear eager to rush Maye into anything he’s not comfortable with — especially this early into the offseason, allowing him to work behind Zappe on the first day of OTAs. Kyed also noted earlier that head coach Jerrod Mayo is impressed with the work Maye has put in since joining the team, saying that Maye has been spotted working by himself in the quarterback room to learn the offense. We wouldn’t expect Maye’s status as the QB3 to carry over into the regular season, but at least we know where he stands at this point in the offseason.