Ranking 30th in the NFL at 13.6 points per game is hard to swallow, but it really shouldn’t come as much a surprise to anyone because the Cleveland Browns had the 28th youngest offense in the league. With high draft picks Trent Richardson and Brandon Weeden, the Browns aren’t getting any older at key positions and that is why it could be another year to take extreme caution with Cleveland in regards to fantasy.
Here are the guys in Cleveland that you should have on your list come time to do the fantasy draft.
*Credit to Cold Stone Creamery for inspiring the categories for this set of fantasy previews. However, I cannot guarantee the fantasy players will live up to high expectations like their delicious ice cream does.
GOTTA HAVE THEM (Elite Category – These guys are must have for any fantasy team)
No Current Browns Fit In This Class
LOVE THEM (These guys are game-changers who are a breakout season or two from becoming elite)
RB Trent Richardson (2011 Finish: N/A, this is a Rookie Season)
At 95.7 rushing yards per game, the Browns ranked 28th in the league in rushing and that is why they went and drafted Alabama’s Trent Richardson with the third overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. Richardson projects to be one of the league’s workhorse backs, something which has become a rare commodity in the game of fantasy. Add in that fact that he may be drafted in the second round of some leagues, he could bring tremendous value to a team. However, at the same time, he brings a lot of risk. But, the reward looks to be greater than the risk because Richardson proved in college he can rack up the carries and yards against the most formidable of defenses. When experts say Richardson is the best prospect to come out since Adrian Peterson, I completely agree. Richardson has also proved to be a durable back during his college career making back-ups Brandon Jackson and Montario Hardesty almost undraftable.
LIKE THEM (These guys are solid fantasy options who should help any fantasy team win)
WR Greg Little (2011 Finish: 52nd ranked WR, 4.9 points per game)
Someone has to emerge as the #1 wide-out in Cleveland and the best candidates for the job seem to be Mohamed Massaquoi and second-year player Greg Little. Little had a decent rookie season while racking up 61 receptions, 709 yards and two touchdowns. When it comes to fantasy, there’s not a lot to like about those numbers, but the fact that the Cleveland staff loves this guy is enough to consider him for your fantasy team. While he dropped a team-high 12 passes last season, Little has the speed and agility to be on that short-list of sleepers for 2012. If you can get this guy late in the draft, he’s surely worth the chance. I like Little more than Massaquoi because quite frankly, Massasquoi has had three seasons to show fantasy owners something and has disappointed time and time again.
OUT OF STOCK (These guys can not yet be counted on to bring greatness to a fantasy team)
WR Mohamed Massaquoi
QB Brandon Weeden
RB Montario Hardesty
RB Brandon Jackson
WR Joshua Cribbs
QB Colt McCoy
TE Benjamin Watson
QB Seneca Wallace
WR Travis Benjamin
What do you think of the 2012 Cleveland Browns Fantasy Outlook? Did I miss anything or was it pretty spot on? Let me know by commenting below!
Nick Grays is a senior writer at the Sports Bank where he covers the Wisconsin Badgers, Green Bay Packers, and Milwaukee Brewers. He also enjoys to share Fantasy Advice and pretend to be a Golf expert from time-to-time. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here or visit his blog Nick Knows Best.
More TSB Fantasy Team Previews:
AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills
Miami Dolphins
New England Patriots
New York Jets
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens
Cincinnati Bengals
Pictures:
Trent Richardson (cleveland.com)
Greg Little (https://www.zimbio.com/pictures/NARgeXO5qyF/Cleveland+Browns+v+Cincinnati+Bengals/xeKeQLZRShE/Greg+Little)