Cleveland Browns: Any Fantasy Football Impact?

Ah, yes, it’s that time of the year again. Fantasy Football is upon us and we have had our drafts or we are planning our strategy for dominance. With my impending draft this weekend I got to pondering, are there any Cleveland Browns players that I should target or even consider? Below is the gospel for drafting our beloved Browns. Keep in mind some players are listed that may or may not pertain to your league set-up (defensive players not included). Enjoy!

Trent Richardson: 
My astute fantasy football acumen has drawn the conclusion that Richardson is the only Browns player that will have immediate impact and be a regular starter for your team. Yes, I know he is a rookie and just had his knee scoped (Browns fans please remain optimistic that it’s only a clean-up and not something more concerning) but this is a guy who does it all. T-Rich is a 3 down back who can block and catch the ball. Who doesn’t want to see a 5’9” 230lb block of granite run through the black and yellow defenders like Ben Roethlisberger running through drunken sorority sisters? He finished his college rushing career with over 3,000 yds, 35 touchdowns, and a 5.8 avg. Cleveland’s O-line is solid and should give T-Rich plenty of opportunities for success. If you’ve got the opportunity to draft him, do so. I just wouldn’t spend a first round pick on him.

 Montario Hardesty:
 Hopefully Hardesty is an afterthought and isn’t needed unless you are desperate for a running back on a bye-week. He really hasn’t shown anything to warrant consideration but he is a guy to have as a handcuff in case of injury to Richardson. I will say he has looked decent in pre-season and some homer is going to draft him. Running backs always become scarce and over-drafted.

Brandon Jackson: 
This is the Cleveland Browns we are talking about. There is a really good chance that since we are cursed that Richardson misses some time and in turn so does Hardesty. Do not draft him with those thoughts in mind but don’t be surprised if he becomes a waiver pick-up at some point in the year.

Brandon Weeden: 
Depending on your desire to have more than one QB on your team Weeden probably sits behind 25 better options in terms of starters. He had an amazing college career but also had Justin Blackmon catching the ball. We do not have a Justin Blackmon on our team, yet. My guess is he throws for 3,000+ yds and 15-20 TD but probably throws that many INT or more. Not exactly a guy leading your team to fantasy prominence.

 Greg Little:
Showed some flashes of hope last year especially for a guy who sat out football for a year. Also showed us that his hands needed a little stick-um like Clifford Franklin in The Replacements. Reports from Cleveland’s camp have been that Little is in great shape and has greatly improved. I think having a QB who can throw the ball will help in terms of not having to fight off defenders as much for control. He’s probably a borderline top 50 receiver and more than likely won’t be drafted but I would bet he becomes a hot waiver pick-up after a solid game or two.

 Josh Gordon:
 Here’s another guy who has been out of football but has big upside. You don’t find many 6’4” 220lb receivers who run like he does and can go get it. Raw talent and immediately upgrades Cleveland’s receivers despite the fact he hasn’t played much in the past two years. Hopefully his past transgressions and Doritos Locos Tacos don’t cause him to re-visit his past. I would not be surprised if he outperforms Little and becomes Cleveland’s #1 and provides you some receiver depth on your team.

Mohamed Massaquoi: 
There were high hopes for Massaquoi when he was drafted in the 2nd round in 2009 but with career averages of about 2 catches per game he offers virtually no help or potential at this point for you fantasy team. He is now arguably the #3 receiver on the team and is one concussion from James Harrison away from being out of football.

 Josh Cribbs:
Special teams extraordinaire. Really warrants no consideration on your fantasy team unless you play in a league that awards return yards or you want to sire a child with him because he seems like that cool of a dude.

 Phil Dawson:
 If the Browns franchised this guy he has to be worth drafting on your fantasy team right? He makes 80% of his kicks and his range seems to be getting longer and longer but I can think of 15 other kickers I’d rather have. In traditional leagues that means Dawson doesn’t make the cut. I am a Browns fan but even I know drafting some of these guys comes with the risk of lots of razzing and jokes at your expense. Good luck to you this fantasy football season and GO BROWNS!

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