The Cleveland Browns succeeding in 2018 is the talk of this off season. Its one thing for them to win on the field and another for them to produce in Fantasy Football. Head coach Hugh Jackson, offensive coordinator Todd Haley and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams are in line for a successful season. What is that exactly? One win, two wins, more than five wins, 8-8 or a winning season? I would think their expectations would be from game to game. Starting with their 1st win since week 16 of the 2016 NFL season. In which they went 1-15.
I am expecting the momentum to build as the team learns how to win from week to week. In the process, they will be producing fantasy points a plenty. For me, it all depends on who starts at the quarterback position for Cleveland. Hence, why I am writing about this in June. Todd Haley means Josh Gordon and the deep ball all day, Jarvis Landry on screen routes and all three running backs producing in Daily Fantasy Sports. It is going to be a week to week headache determining who to start at the running position. I’ve already stated before Baker Mayfield was drafted that if Tyrod Taylor is the starter. Tyrod will set a career high in pass attempts, touchdowns and interceptions. Which isn’t saying much for a guy who has 1 career 300 yard passing game, needs RPOs and the play action pass to make accurate throws.
Each day that passes. Baker Mayfield is gaining value in season long league play for me. I already know Tyrod Taylor’s ceiling in my mind and prefer the Brown’s offense when operated by Mayfield. Tight end David Njoku is gaining steam in my upcoming tight end rankings. I think he has the ability to stretch the field and a rookie can depend on the tight end position. If Tyrod starts, Njoku will still have value considering Charles Clay was a top target of his in Buffalo.
Clearly Landry will not go off like he did in 2017. No Landry will not be Haley’s Antonio Brown. I mean he could be if Baker Mayfield plays but I am anticipating Josh Gordon to take a majority of the deep balls. Leaving Landry to run the underneath and intermediate routes. Its well known that Haley loves stretching the field.
Unless, Carlos Hyde or Nick Chubb drop to me in my ppr leagues. I won’t be drafting either and Duke Johnson is further down my rankings (https://ffphilosophy.com/2018/05/30/111-fantasy-football-running-backs-rankings/). Their value at the moment will come in DFS and be a game of who “ya got this week?” Im liking Carlos Hyde’s pass catching abilities if I had to pick one.
Fantasy Football owners should definitely hit up Gregg Williams defense for IDPs in 2018. The Browns defensive end Myles Garrett should produce a double digit sack season. He finished with 7 sacks in 11 games before injury in 2017. Their secondary is vastly improved and 4th overall pick Denzel Ward could be a lock down corner back and Jabrill Peppers is a safety to keep an eye on in deeper leagues. Cornerback E.J. Gaines will be targeted by opposing offenses which means opportunity for a variety defensive stat categories to be filled. Linebackers Jamie Collins, Christian Kirksey, Joe Schobert and newly signed Mychal Kendricks are a formidable group. Kirksey is a tackle machine and Collins has all around stat production potential.
Tyrod Taylor or Baker Mayfield combined with Josh Gordon is Hot Fire! Choose your weeks to play them wisely.
As Always,
(Teams Going Off + Thoughts Flexed In) = Combination Lineups
May the Fantasy Force Be With You.
Follow Moon Man on Twitter @FFPmoonman
Check out these articles taking a look at who we should draft in our leagues:
https://ffphilosophy.com/2018/05/27/top-12-fantasy-football-running-back-rankings/
https://ffphilosophy.com/2018/05/29/fantasy-football-running-back-rankings-13-20/
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