We have reached the quarter pole of the NFL season and for most your fantasy season as well. Hopefully, you’re sitting in good shape and looking to build on recent success much like the Cleveland Browns.
We have a great matchup against the 0-3 Oakland Raiders as we look to try and to move over .500 and hope that our Browns players can help us yet again win another fantasy matchup.
Quarterback: Baker Mayfield – Start
Baker Mayfield sparked this offense last week in the second half and I imagine he will run the offense similarly this week in the ‘Black Hole.’ He was able to make throws we wouldn’t even see Tyrod Taylor attempt and be successful. Baker will likely make some rookie mistakes throughout the season and at times it’s going to hurt our fantasy teams. I don’t see that happening this week, Oakland’s defense is poor and Baker should have a field day.
Running back: Carlos Hyde -Start, Duke Johnson Jr. – Sit
Carlos Hyde looked poor in that first half last week against the New York Jets, but it all changed once Baker entered the game. With Baker at quarterback, teams can no longer load up the box. Baker can burn defenses by throwing the ball deep. Taylor usually wouldn’t. As long as Baker is playing Hyde should be given some better running lanes and get some passing work as well, as we saw Taylor rarely checked the ball down.
Duke Johnson Jr. is a sit for me this week mostly because I can’t trust him yet in fantasy. I do think his return to fantasy relevance is coming as Baker will likely be more inclined to get him involved and work him in with some check downs. Until that starts to happen though I couldn’t trust putting him in my lineup.
Wide receivers: Jarvis Landry – Start, Rashard Higgins – Start, Antonio Callaway -Start
Jarvis Landry is the unquestioned one in the offense with Josh Gordon gone. He clearly looked ready to go once Baker came in and played well. Landry will light up scores in PPR. With Baker, his touchdown rate will likely increase pushing Landry to a possible top 12 finish for him.
Rashard Higgins will be the slot wide receiver going forward, even though that is where Jarvis thrives. Higgins has played well so far in this role but will likely be the fourth option on most pass plays. That being said he will get work as he has been trusted on key third-down plays all year. PPR leagues and leagues that award points for first downs are where Higgins will thrive. He is mostly going to be a WR3 and flex option going forward.
Antonio Callaway is my sleeper of the week. Baker and he had a nice connection during the preseason and we saw what Callaway could do in weeks two and three the only problem was Taylor couldn’t throw him open. He won’t have the problem anymore. I’m expecting a huge breakout game for Callaway this weekend. I’m predicting over 100 yards and a touchdown here. If you don’t have Callaway now may be your last chance to get him.
Tight end: David Njoku – Start
David Njoku finally came to life last week much like everyone else when Baker entered the lineup. In fact on Baker’s first two throws to Njoku, he racked up more yards than he had all season with Taylor. Baker’s best work comes in between the numbers on the field he loves working the middle of the field and that is where Njoku will eat. Njoku looks primed to finally start producing as much as we hoped he would all season.
Cleveland Browns defense – Start
This defense has shut down high potent offenses they are a must start every week. They are limiting teams to around 20 points a game and turning over the ball at an elite rate.
Stay tuned in to Full Press Coverage all season long for your Cleveland Browns news and fantasy advice all season long. If you have any questions on the Browns or fantasy you can always hit me up on twitter @SportsfanaticMB
