2015 Cleveland Browns Fantasy Outlook

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Key Fantasy Additions

Key Fantasy Departures

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Overview

After a promising start to the 2014 season, the Cleveland Browns faltered in the tail end of the season, losing their last five games and finishing 7-9 on the year. The Browns had question marks all season long at each one of their skill positions, so it would be wise to try and avoid rostering any of them this upcoming fantasy season.

Quarterback

Brian Hoyer was the Browns’ main option at quarterback in 2014 but he was rather unimpressive, accumulating only 226 yards per game while throwing for 12 touchdowns against 13 interceptions. And we all know about Johnny Football, but he was a non-factor last season and I was unbelievably stoked when my Bengals smoked him 30-0 in his debut. Josh McCown is expected to be the Week 1 starter, meaning defenses playing the Browns are definitely worth streaming week in and week out. All joking aside, the Cleveland quarterback situation will be a non-factor all season long, and unless Johnny Manziel can catch lightning in a bottle at some point, both Browns QBs will be on the waiver wire all season long. Not much more to say here. Position Grade: C-

Running Back

It was a running back by committee for the Browns all of last season, with the two top backs being rookies Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell. With no clear-cut favorite thus far out of training camp, it looks as though Cleveland will lean on a committee again of presumably West, Crowell and newcomer rookie Duke Johnson. Crowell offers the most upside of the three; last year he accumulated 607 yards and had twice as many touchdowns (8) as the team’s leading rusher Terrence West. I picked up Crowell for cheap in my recent 10 team auction draft, but only because there are some reports that he is at the top of the RB depth chart. Running backs by committees are always a headache, especially with respect to fantasy football, and I would once again dissuade you from investing in this Brown’s skill position. Position Grade: C+

Wide Receiver

Different position, same story here for the Browns. Andrew Hawkins was the team’s leading receiver last season with 824 yards but a measley two touchdowns. With Josh Gordon sidelined for the year yet again for substance abuse problems, the WR situation doesn’t get any prettier for the Browns in 2015. They do have the arrival of two veteran receivers to look forward to, Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline, however neither offer much fantasy potential in 14 team leagues or fewer. I feel like a stock broker advising clients to not invest in a corporation that’s about to go bankrupt. Once again, I would warn against having any Browns receivers on your fantasy squad this season. Position Grade: C-

Tight End

I’ll just straight up pass on this section, my time would be better spent elsewhere. Have you heard of any of these names at TE on the Browns roster: Jim Dray, Rob Housler, or Manasseh Garner? Position Grade: F

Summary

It is shaping up to be another season of dysfunctional Cleveland Browns football, so let’s all just watch the drama unfold rather than having our fantasy success hinge on their players. Good luck this season, thanks for reading my AFC North fantasy football previews! Hit me up on Twitter @FantasyRam with any questions and comments you may have, I’m gearing up for multiple leagues as I’m sure you all are as well!

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Geoff Lambert

Geoff has been playing fantasy football since 1996 and covering it professionally since 2015. In addition to being the founder of GoingFor2.com and The Armchair Fantasy Show, Geoff has contributed to FantasyPros, FantasyLife, and the now-defunct RotoWriters, while also appearing on a multitude of fantasy podcasts. Geoff's favorite professional teams are the 49ers, the Pelicans and the Nationals.

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