TAP FOR 6 MONTHS OF PREMIUM FREE 💰
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

2016 Fantasy Football Team Outlook - Cleveland Browns

This article continues our team outlook series where we will break down each NFL team from a fantasy football perspective. We will cover the major changes on each roster from this offseason and project what the team will do in the upcoming year. Today we take a look at the Cleveland Browns.

Behold, the barren fantasy wasteland that was the 2015 Cleveland Browns. Last year, the Browns were one of the least useful NFL teams from a fantasy perspective. That should change this year with (another) new coaching regime in place and a brand new analytics-based front office. Will it all work? No one is quite sure, but it is a fact that with Hue Jackson and company in town the Browns have one of the best coaching staffs they've had since returning to the league in 1999. Whether it translates to fantasy success is the true question and what we are going to take a look at here.

Editor's Note: Purchase a full season NFL Premium Pass (including Draft Kit + DFS Premium), and also get MLB Premium + DFS for free through October. Premium DFS lineup picks, expert lineups, tools and more - seven days a week. You can see screenshots of our NFL Premium and MLB Premium and DFS tools. What are you waiting for?

Featured Promo: Looking for some more fantasy football action? Adopt a dynasty orphan team over at FFPC. Sign up today and get $25 off any FFPC league. Sign Up Now!

 

Quarterback

On a team where the preseason quarterback battles have sometimes been the most riveting part of the season, the Browns changed tradition by holding an extremely quiet quarterback competition and making a decision well before the first preseason game. Robert Griffin III will be calling the shots for the Browns as he attempts to resuscitate his career after being glued to the bench for Washington last season. It remains to be seen whether Griffin can return to the dominance he showed as a rookie in 2012 as injuries have mounted and his development stalled while with the Redskins. Griffin does have a few things working in his favor. Hue Jackson is an extremely experienced coach, having coached every offensive position group except offensive line and widely being regarded as a skilled coach of quarterbacks. Griffin also has a bevy of pass-catching weapons at his disposal including Corey Coleman, Josh Gordon, Terrelle Pryor, Gary Barnidge, and Duke Johnson. He also has rushing upside, which can mask a lot of quarterback flaws from a fantasy perspective. Griffin shouldn't be drafted standard season-long leagues but he may end up being a useful streamer for those who like to wait on quarterbacks. That being said, his true value is in dynasty leagues where he should be rostered, and as a QB2 in two-quarterback leagues.

 

Running Backs

The arrival of Hue Jackson gives the team's running backs some cause for optimism as Jackson has been a run-heavy coach in the past. This is another position without much mystery as fantasy owners should already have a good idea for how the work will be divvied up in 2016. Expect Isaiah Crowell to be the team's "starter" and handle carries on first and second downs along with goal line work. Crowell has been a heralded talent at the running back position since his days as a high school player but has yet to put it all together in the NFL. Keep in mind Jackson coaxed a career-year from Darren McFadden in his time as Oakland's head coach. Crowell is rather cheap in drafts and could have a career year if he's finally able to reach his potential. Duke Johnson, on the other hand, will be the team's third-down running back. Johnson is an extremely gifted pass-catcher and has a chance to catch a lot of passes this season. He's a great target in PPR leagues, especially for owners who take the zero RB approach. Expect big things from the second-year back.

 

Wide Receivers

My, what a difference a year makes. Last season the Browns had arguably the worst receiving corps in the league. This year they have an explosive, proven talent in Josh Gordon, a star rookie who looks like he's the real deal in Corey Coleman, and a freak athlete still trying to learn the position in Terrelle Pryor. Coleman has been earning rave reviews all training camp and is shaping up as a draft day deal, going in the ninth round in standard 12-team leagues. Keep in mind he will have the first four games of the season as the team's unquestioned top target while Gordon is serving his suspension. While we are on the subject, Josh Gordon can do things very few receivers can do when he's on the field. In case you forgot, in the 2013 season Gordon caught 87 balls for 1,646 yards and nine touchdowns in 14 games. The problem is keeping him on the field. He will first be eligible to return to action in Week 5 and is shaping up as a high-upside, high-risk pick. He is currently going in the sixth round in standard league drafts, so forget about getting a deal on him. Terrelle Pryor has been earning praise for his work in camp and is being listed as the team's number two receiver at the time. That is certain to change once Gordon comes back, but Pryor is shaping up as a very interesting dynasty asset. As mentioned above, Hue Jackson is known as a run-first coach. Don't let that scare you off of the Browns' passing game as the team will likely be behind in many games and will be forced to throw often as a result.

 

Tight Ends

Gary Barnidge was an unknown quantity at this time last year, having caught just 44 passes in his six seasons before 2015. Barnidge exploded on the scene in 2015, emerging as the team's top target in the passing game as he caught 79 passes for 1,043 yards and nine touchdowns. There is some concern about his ability to repeat last year's numbers as he will have much more competition for targets this season. Barnidge was mostly utilized last year to move the chains and as the team's top red zone target. Expect some regression, although he should still be a low-end TE1 this season. He's coming off the board in the ninth round as the 10th tight end selected which is shaping up as a solid value.

 

NFL & Fantasy Football Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-0" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Evgeni Malkin

Collects Two Points in Win Over Flames
Christian Dvorak

Notches Three Points in Wednesday's Loss
Clayton Keller

Saves Mammoth From Loss Wednesday Night
Lukas Dostal

Overcomes Avalanche With 40 Saves
Dylan Larkin

Leads Red Wings Past Maple Leafs
Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Exits With Lower-Body Injury Wednesday
Josh Doan

Lands Seven-Year Extension From Sabres
Keyonte George

Iffy for Thursday's Tilt
Lauri Markkanen

Remains Unavailable Thursday
Josh Giddey

Holds Questionable Tag Thursday
Jamal Murray

Probable for Juicy Fantasy Matchup Thursday
Paul George

Could Miss Third Straight Game Thursday
Joel Embiid

Considered Probable Thursday
Kawhi Leonard

Questionable Thursday
Kevin Porter Jr.

Out Indefinitely With Oblique Strain
Brandon Sproat

Dealt to Brewers in Four-Player Trade
Jett Williams

Brewers Acquire Jett Williams From Mets
Freddy Peralta

Mets Acquire Freddy Peralta From Brewers
Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas Questionable Versus the Wizards
Seth Jones

to Miss Olympics
Christian Braun

Remains Sidelined on Thursday
Martin Pospisil

Makes Season Debut Wednesday
Jalen Suggs

Questionable Versus Charlotte
Teddy Blueger

Available Wednesday Night
Tom Wilson

Comes Off Injured Reserve
Luke Hughes

Devils Place Luke Hughes on Long-Term Injured Reserve
Valeri Nichushkin

Returns to Action Wednesday
Kris Letang

a Game-Time Call Wednesday
Caris LeVert

Sidelined Wednesday
Cade Cunningham

Unavailable on Wednesday
Tre Mann

Available Versus Cavs
Ja'Kobe Walter

Out of Action Again on Wednesday
RJ Barrett

Remains Sidelined on Wednesday
Collin Murray-Boyles

Ruled Out on Wednesday
Domantas Sabonis

Sidelined Wednesday
Kyle Tucker

Expected to Bat Second or Third in Dodgers' Lineup
Brandon Aiyuk

has "Played his Last Snap as a Niner"
Cody Bellinger

Signs Five-Year, $162.5 Million Contract With Yankees
Adam Scott

Looks to Overcome Putting Woes at American Express
Billy Horschel

Looking to Rebound at The American Express
Josh Allen

Might Need Foot Surgery
Russell Henley

Looks to Build on Strong Start at The American Express
Jason Day

Looking to Start 2026 Strong at The American Express
Wyndham Clark

Looking to Regain Form at The American Express
Sam Burns

Looks to Continue Success at The American Express
Akshay Bhatia

Looking to Flip the Script at The American Express
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Looking to Build on Strong Fall in Season Debut
Kurt Kitayama

Hopes To Continue Strong Start to 2026 Season at American Express
CFB

Princewill Umanmielen Expected to Sign with LSU
Scottie Scheffler

Returns To American Express After Missing Last Year's Edition
Robert MacIntyre

Keeps Momentum Rolling Heading Into American Express
Brian Harman

Can Challenge at American Express if His Putter Stays Hot
Ben Griffin

Outstanding Form Continues Heading Into American Express
Matt Fitzpatrick

Continues Playing Well Following Outstanding Finish to 2025 Season
Patrick Cantlay

Looks to Get a Jump Start on His 2026 Season
Blades Brown

Set to Make First PGA Tour Appearance of 2026
Kevin Roy

Has Some Confidence Heading to Southern California
Josh Morrissey

Has Three-Point Night Against Blues
Min Woo Lee

Poised to Make Bigger Impact in 2026
Miro Heiskanen

Records Three Helpers Tuesday
Brandon Hagel

Stays Hot Tuesday Night
Ryan O'Reilly

Extends Scoring Streak With Three-Point Effort
Max Homa

Needs a Better Start for 2026
Konsta Helenius

Bags Three Points In Tuesday's Win
Tony Finau

Trying to Reverse Disturbing Trend
Anthony Cirelli

Injured Versus Sharks
Cam Davis

Aims for More Accuracy at American Express
Darcy Kuemper

Hurt on Tuesday Night
Isaiah Hartenstein

Unavailable Against Bucks
Myles Turner

Uncertain for Wednesday Night
Luisangel Acuña

Luisangel Acuna Sent to White Sox in Trade
Kevin Porter Jr.

Questionable Wednesday
Luis Robert Jr.

Mets Acquire Luis Robert Jr. from White Sox
Los Angeles Chargers

Mike McDaniel Expected to Become Chargers Offensive Coordinator
Carlos Beltran

Andruw Jones Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame
CFB

Alberto Mendoza Expected to Land at Georgia Tech
Malik Nabers

Giants Hope Malik Nabers Will be Back for Start of Training Camp
CFB

Duke Suing Quarterback Darian Mensah
Cam Skattebo

Should be Ready by OTAs
George Kittle

Expects to Return "Well Before November"
CFB

Alberto Mendoza Entering Transfer Portal
Mookie Betts

Plans to Retire at the End of his Current Contract
Tennessee Titans

Titans Set to Hire Robert Saleh as Next Head Coach
Miami Dolphins

Dolphins Expected to Hire Jeff Hafley as Next Head Coach
Zach Charbonnet

has Torn ACL
Zach Charbonnet

Needs Knee Surgery, Out for Rest of Playoffs
Tennessee Titans

Mike McCarthy a Finalist for Titans Head-Coaching Job?
Colston Loveland

Suffers Concussion in Divisional Round Loss
Kyren Williams

Scores Two Touchdowns in Divisional Round Win
Buffalo Bills

Bills Fire Head Coach Sean McDermott
Rhamondre Stevenson

Returns in Sunday's AFC Divisional Round Game
Ha-Seong Kim

has Finger Surgery, Out 4-5 Months
Rhamondre Stevenson

Questionable to Return on Sunday With Eye Injury
Woody Marks

Returns Following Brief Exit on Sunday
Dalton Schultz

Won't Return in Sunday's AFC Divisional Round Game
Aaron Rodgers

Steelers Open to Aaron Rodgers Returning in 2026?
Jarrett Stidham

to Start AFC Championship Game
Zach Charbonnet

Questionable to Return Against 49ers
CFB

Darian Mensah Entering Transfer Portal
J.T. Realmuto

Signs Three-Year Deal to Return to Phillies

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP