Saturday, July 28, 2018

2018 Fantasy Football Projections: Cleveland Browns

In addition to viewing our 2018 Fantasy Football Projections by position, we will post our preseason projections per team.

Below you will find our 2018 fantasy football projections for the Cleveland Browns.

Quarterbacks

 

PlayerAtt.Comp.YardsTDINTRushYardsTDFLPoints
Tyrod Taylor346.1216.3254415.24.551.62893.11.5198.06
Taylor will be the Week 1 starter, but will he also be the starter in Week 17? The Browns should be better (then again, they can't be much worse), but those incremental gains are unlikely to keep No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield off the field for the entire season. Based on my projections, I have Taylor slated to start until the team's bye. Due to his rushing production and upgrade in receiving corps, Taylor could be a top-12 fantasy quarterback on a per-game basis for as long as he's the starter.
Baker Mayfield223.1136.115518.95.813.958.40.4192.28
Unless you're in a 2-QB league, Mayfield is not on the re-draft radar. Whenever he becomes the starter, which seems likely to occur at some point this season (post-bye based on my projections), he will become worth a look as a streaming option.
Drew Stanton2.91.5180.10.100000.92

More Fantasy Football QB Resources:

Running Backs

 

PlayerAtt.YardsTDRec.YardsTDFLPoints
Nick Chubb160.4705.85.610750.20.7111.48
Going into the draft, most expected the Browns to take a Chubb. While they passed on one Chubb (cousin Bradley at No. 4), the Browns selected another (Nick) with the first pick of Round 2. Even though they signed Carlos Hyde to a three-year deal, Chubb could still lead the team in carries. ESPN's Pat McManamon writes: "It would not be surprising to see Chubb get the bulk of the every-down carries."
Carlos Hyde115.1483.4431.3190.90.80.894.63
Playing a full 16-game slate for the first time in his four NFL seasons, Hyde set career highs in yards from scrimmage (1,288) and receptions (59) but a career low in yards per carry (3.9). Signing a free-agent deal with the Browns, Hyde may not even lead the backfield in touches with the team investing a top-33 pick in Chubb.
Duke Johnson53.6233.21.652.2495.92.11.492.31
Through three NFL seasons, Johnson has exceeded 50 receptions and 500 receiving yards every year and he set career highs last season with 74/693/3 receiving. With both Carlos Hyde and Nick Chubb replacing the free-agency loss of Isaiah Crowell, Johnson may get even fewer carries. Meanwhile, the addition of slot receiver Jarvis Landry could lead to fewer targets and receptions for the former Hurricane.
Dan Vitale0001.610.6001.06
Matt Dayes1.23.8000000.38

More Fantasy Football RB Resources:

Wide Receivers

 

PlayerRec.YardsTDRushYardsTDFLPoints
Josh Gordon60.11027.76.30000.2140.17
Since leading the NFL with 1,646 receiving yards in 2013, Gordon has played a total of 10 games -- five in 2014 and five in 2017 -- due to suspension. Gordon has the upside for a top-10 season if he's able to stay on the field for a full season, but his risks are obvious. Currently away from the team, reports are that Gordon did not fail another drug test and the belief is that he won't be away from the team for an extended period.
Jarvis Landry97.5984.85.11.67.202126.4
The Browns traded for Landry and then signed him to an extension through the 2023 season. Leading the NFL last season with a career-high 112 receptions, Landry finished the season with 987 yards and nine touchdowns (also a career high).
Antonio Callaway29.4385.12.80000.254.91
Selected in the fourth round, Callaway should have been selected higher based on talent and lower based on off-field issues. Expected to push Corey Coleman for snaps in three-wide sets, the rookie "tore up the defensive backs in 1-on-1 drills" early in training camp. Given the uncertainty with Gordon and potential the Browns move Coleman, Callaway has a ton of upside as a late-round sleeper in deep formats.
Corey Coleman20.2264.61.80.8400.137.46
A top-15 pick in 2016, Coleman has underwhelmed in two injury-plagued seasons -- 33/413/3 in 2016 and 23/305/2 in 2017 -- over a total of 19 games played. It wouldn't be a shock if Coleman is dealt before the season starts.
Rashard Higgins9.4110.90.70000.115.09
Jeff Janis2.644.20.300006.22
Damion Ratley1.720.40.100002.64

More Fantasy Football WR Resources:

Tight Ends

 

PlayerRec.YardsTDRushYardsTDFLPoints
David Njoku42.55274.90000.181.9
Playing less than half of the team's offensive snaps as a rookie, Njoku posted a 32/386/4 stat line in 2017. Coach Hue Jackson says that he expects a big jump from Njoku in Year 2. Especially if Josh Gordon were to miss any time this season, Njoku could have a breakout season.
Seth Devalve8.8106.50.60000.114.05
Darren Fells4.851.80.500008.18

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