2012 Team Outlook: Cleveland
QB Colt McCoy, --- - Low Potential
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The Colt McCoy experiment looks to have run its course. Cleveland drafted Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden with the No. 22 overall pick of the first round in the 2012 NFL Draft and all indicators point toward the rookie getting first dibs at the starting spot. McCoy won't go down without a fight, but if fantasy owners want to roll the dice with either of Cleveland's quarterbacks it has to be Weeden. McCoy's inconsistent accuracy and weak arm really limit any serious potential. Even if McCoy ends up the starter in Week 1, it will only take one or two bad games before Cleveland's fan base begins to clamor for Weeden. Drafting McCoy would be a mistake.
Update (8/12): The Browns are shopping McCoy for a third-round draft pick.
QB Brandon Weeden, HOU - Bye Week Fill-in
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Although Brandon Weeden is the early favorite to start in Week 1, that endorsement is also a condemnation of Colt McCoy. The Browns are still a team that lacks a reliable group of receivers. Their top receiver, Greg Little, finished with the second-most drops in the NFL (14) in spite of only having the 17th-most targets. Supplemental draft pick Josh Gordon may need time to develop. Regardless, Weeden will have his work cut out for him. There's no question though that this offense will go through Trent Richardson, which will severely limit Weeden's fantasy production. Only dynasty owners and those in two QB leagues should take a long hard look at Weeden.
Update (8/12): The rookie out of Oklahoma State was a bit shaky in his preseason debut. On the bright side, he was officially named the starter, but Weeden still needs time to grow.
RB Montario Hardesty, --- - Deep-league Only
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It's not easy being Montario Hardesty. During the preseason of his rookie 2010 season, he tore an ACL and last year he barely managed to play half the season. Now entering his third season, he's playing second fiddle to one of the so-called best rookie backs to come out "since Adrian Peterson," according to some analysts. Hardesty is sure to spell Trent Richardson now and again, particularly on third downs, but his fantasy value is bordering nil. Unless Richardson misses extended time, Hardesty is nothing more than waiver wire fodder or an emergency backup in deeper formats.
Update (8/12): Hardesty revealed he was battling with an infection after ACL surgery last offseason. Many have noted he looks like the Browns "most improved player."
Update (8/27): The Akron Beacon-Journal recently reported that Hardesty is the odds-on favorite to win the No. 2 spot behind Richardson and ahead of Brandon Jackson.
RB Brandon Jackson, --- - Not Draft Worthy
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A serious case of the old turf toe prematurely ended Brandon Jackson's 2011 season. Before the injury, he was the favorite to be Cleveland's No. 2 back behind Peyton Hillis. Now that he's healed up and been cleared to play, he'll be looking to reclaim his old place on the depth chart. Until he rises up the ranks, he has no fantasy value; yet, it is worth noting that he is likely this team's best third-down back.
Update (8/27): Jackson practiced with the first-team after Montario Hardesty fumbled during the team's second preseason game. Jackson has a shot to earn the No. 2 role, but Hardesty is the favorite for now.
RB Chris Ogbonnaya, --- - Not Draft Worthy
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Last year when Cleveland's running backs were dropping like flies due to injuries, Chris Ogbonnaya made a bit of a name for himself in fantasy circles. It didn't last long. After four consecutive games with at least 14 touches, Ogbonnaya was a non-factor the rest of the year. Now he's listed as the Browns' RB3 and as one would expect, he shouldn't be a fantasy factor unless both Trent Richardson and Montario Hardesty are hurt.
RB Trent Richardson, --- - Solid/Safe Pick
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The hype may seem a bit over the top, but all the praise being given to Trent Richardson is very well-deserved. This highly-touted rookie will face a lot of pressure to produce for Cleveland's struggling offense. Even when former teammate Mark Ingram was at Alabama, everyone agreed Richardson was the better back. In order for him to reach his full potential this year, the Browns offense has to be able to open up the passing game. This will prohibit defenses from stacking the box and keying in on the run game. Montario Hardesty will poach touches, but Richardson is durable enough to be an every-down back. His thick, compact build will excel in the red zone and at the goal line so it's unlikely his touchdowns will be vultured away. Richardson should be the first pick in dynasty drafts and the first rookie taken in any other league format.
Update (8/12): The former Alabama rookie had his left knee scoped which puts him in jeopardy to miss the season opener. Fantasy owners shouldn't be too terribly concerned since the injury was not serious.
Update (8/27): Richardson is on track to start in Week 1 yet could see a limited workload until 100-percent.
WR Travis Benjamin, --- - Dynasty Only
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After Greg Little and Mohamed Massaquoi, Cleveland's depth chart is unclear at wide receiver. The Browns drafted Travis Benjamin out of "Da U" in the fourth round. He'll have to earn his playing time which means he won't have much of a role to start the season. Rookie receivers don't often explode onto the scene and if they do, they're almost always first round selections. Benjamin will need to slow cook on the Cleveland sidelines before fulfilling his potential. He will get his feet wet in 2012 and play sparsely, but it's highly unlikely he cracks the starting lineup.
Update (8/12): Head coach Pat Shurmur feels Benjamin will contribute as rookie.
WR Josh Gordon, --- - Super Sleeper (high risk/potential)
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Succeeding in Cleveland as a wide receiver is no small feat. Supplemental draft pick Josh Gordon has a legitimate shot to break that barrier and be a contributor as a rookie. This 6'3", 225-pounder from Baylor University has already ascended to the No. 3 spot on the Browns' depth chart. He currently is placed behind Greg Little and Mohammed Massaquoi but Cleveland has to be very high on the rookie since they were willing to spend a second round choice on him. Gordon likely needs a year of experience before he begins to fulfill his full potential yet that doesn't mean he won't have a couple big games this year.
Update (08/27): Gordon has taken over as the No. 2 wide receiver.
WR Greg Little, --- - Sleeper (undervalued)
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On one hand, Greg Little struggled with drops in his rookie campaign. He didn't score a touchdown until Week 12, even though he received a ton of playing time in the preceding 10 games. On the other hand, one could argue Cleveland now has a better quarterback, running back and offensive line after what appears to be a pretty good draft. This should take pressure and attention away from Little who is now entering his second year. He likely won't make the jump to household name status in 2012, but there's enough to like to take a chance on him as a sleeper WR3.
WR Josh Cribbs, --- - Low Potential
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With 41 receptions for 518 yards and four scores, Josh Cribbs' 2011 season was his best yet. Better known as a kick return dynamo, Cribbs seemed to embrace his new role at receiver because his team needed him. Fantasy owners, on the other hand, should take note that even at his most productive, Cribbs wasn't even averaging three receptions per game. The emergence of Greg Little and stiff competition from Jordan Norwood will relegate Cribbs to WR4 or worse.
Update (8/12): Cribbs is unlikely to have much of an impact on offense as a wide receiver.
WR Mohamed Massaquoi, --- - Deep-league Only
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"Consistently underwhelming" aptly describes Mohamed Massaquoi. His 2011 season was an all new low with career worsts in receptions (31), receiving yards (384) and yards per reception (12.4). The only saving grace is that there is still the fleeting potential this offense improves with Brandon Weeden and Trent Richardson in the fold. That said, you can still leave Massaquoi undrafted and in the waiver wire; no one in your league will bat an eye.
Update (8/12): Massaquoi suffered yet another concussion. This could potentially really open the door for rookies Josh Gordon and Travis Benjamin.
TE Alex Smith, WAS - Not Draft Worthy
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No, not that Alex Smith, this is the other Alex Smith. Coming to the Cleveland Browns in 2010, Smith has toiled in relative anonymity. The former runner-up to the John Mackey Award in 2004, given to the nation's top tight end, he's now buried a bit on Cleveland's depth chart. Smith in his career has caught 147 passes for 1,414 yards and 12 touchdowns. That's more than most of us will ever accomplish in the NFL, but it's not enough to grab our attention in fantasy football.
TE Ben Watson, --- - Bye Week Fill-in
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In 2010, Ben "Don't Call Me Benjamin" Watson had a career year. In 2011, he proved that big year was probably a fluke. Watson's numbers declined across the board and his production was halved. It goes without saying that Cleveland's offense was spectacularly bad last year, so it's not all his fault. The problem is that Watson will turn 32 this year and with so many young tight ends emerging, there's almost no reason to take a chance on him. This outlook obviously changes dramatically if he develops chemistry with Brandon Weeden.
Update (08/27): Watson has returned to practice in the last week and is still tenatively the team's No. 1 TE.
TE Jordan Cameron, --- - Dynasty Only
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This second-year tight end out of USC has reportedly been one of the most improved players on the Cleveland Browns roster. With No. 1 tight end Ben Watson limited this off-season with injuries, Cameron got a long look from the coaches and has the inside track to be the primary backup. Consider giving him a look in deeper dynasty formats for now and hope he earns more playing time this season.
TE Evan Moore, --- - Not Draft Worthy
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Even though Evan Moore is known better as a blocker, that didn't stop him from having his best statistical season. He collected 34 catches (just three fewer than TE1 Ben Watson) and four TDs. It should go without saying that Moore should only be a name you occasionally see on the waiver wire this season. On the off chance Watson is injured, even then Moore just doesn't have the athletic ability to come out of left field and put up big fantasy numbers.
PK Phil Dawson, --- - Low Potential
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If your goal is to have one of the league's lowest-scoring kickers, Phil Dawson is your guy. Dawson has good accuracy and plays for a team typically averse to scoring in bunches. On the bright side, the 13-year veteran was one of Cleveland's franchise players and signed a one-year, $3.8 million franchise tender. Not bad, right? He also converted seven of eight field goals from 50-plus yards, tied for the most from that distance in the NFL last year. If only the Browns could get within his range more often.
Cleveland - Bye Week Fill-in
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The Browns allowed the second-fewest passing yards per game last year (184.9) in large part to their porous run defense which ranked as the third-worst. Why pass the ball when you can run it with ease? Their 19.2 points allowed per game looks impressive (and it is), but this was a team that was regularly manhandled. The Browns were never really blown out because their defense typically kept it close. The foundation for improvement is present but they're not quite ready for your fantasy roster yet.