RADIO
Alright Browns fans, buckle up, you may be in for a wild ride in 2018. Cleveland did as much as they could to break the internet on Friday, making three trades and putting themselves in position to make the playoffs for the first time since 2002. I know, I know, it’s hard to trust the Browns. They seemed to be heading in the right direction this past year. After all, improving on a 1-15 season would be easy right?
After going 0-16 though, the Browns just continued to be... the Browns. That may change in 2018. A few months back I wrote about the Browns being a couple pieces away from making the playoffs. They were able to secure at least two of those pieces via trades and the others will be coming in the draft.
The pieces acquired via trade, of course, were Jarvis Landry and Tyrod Taylor. Both of these players will not only have a huge impact for the Browns, but for fantasy owners as well. There are still questions to be answered though. Are there enough targets between Josh Gordon and Landry? Will Taylor be able to get both of them the ball? Like I said Browns fans, buckle up and enjoy the ride.
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Browns acquire Jarvis Landry for draft picks
As Landry fans go, I am about as high up on the list as you can get. All of my leagues are PPR and all of my leagues have Landry as a top target each year. Even though Landry had a top-five season this year, you still hear the background noise. He had more than 100 receptions but couldn’t reach 1,000 receiving yards. His numbers are inflated by his TDs. He’s not a true WR1. Yada, yada, yada. Since I’m in the middle of binge-watching “Seinfeld”, that phrase fits perfectly here.
Landry will have his best supporting cast, by far, in 2018. Taylor is better than Ryan Tannehill and his fellow receivers are much better as well, helping to take off some of the pressure and coverage Landry may see. Landry’s biggest ally will be Johnson though. Last year, Landry’s average depth per target was 6.2 yards. That’s not a lot, and I expect it to be more in 2018, but defenses will need to also matchup with Johnson who will likely see a target depth from behind the line out to Landry’s range last year. It will be a headache trying to matchup with Landry and Johnson in the same area, while also keeping an eye on Njoku and containing Gordon deep. Alright Corey Coleman owners, I won’t forget you. Keep those fingers crossed that this is the year.
If I had to think of one negative to go with Landry, it will be a reduction in red zone share. Landry had a 32.4% red zone target share in Miami last year which was fifth in the league. With more weapons around him, that number will likely decrease, which means it will be tough to duplicate his career high nine touchdowns from last season. Landry will need to improve on his yards per reception to keep pace with his overall fantasy output from 2017.
Browns trade 65th pick for Tyrod Taylor
I was a big supporter of the baker Mayfield to Cleveland pick, but I don’t see that happening now. In fact, the Browns need to skip on a QB in the first round altogether. Taylor will do everything the Browns need to make the playoffs next year. Not only will he do that, but he could find himself in play for a positon in the top-10 fantasy QBs again.
Just take a second to think about the weapons Taylor will have around him. Duke Johnson just turned in the RB11 performance in PPR leagues and will be a huge safety net for a QB learning a new offense. Landry just put together the WR5 performance in PPR leagues with subpar and inconsistent QB play. Also add in Josh Gordon's return for a full season and former first round pick David Njoku, plus a potential pick of Saquon Barkley and you have the recipe for a high-powered offense.
Taylor was the QB8 in 2016 with LeSean McCoy has his only true weapon and Robert Woods as his leading receiver with 613 yards. One reason Taylor has warranted so much upside prior to this year is his ability to use his legs. Taylor has 1,575 rushing yards over the last three seasons. The fact that he will be able to use run-pass options with Barkley (potentially) in the backfield and the threat of Gordon and Landry in the passing game, Taylor will have the opportunity to put together a career high in rushing.
Will all of this be enough to be the last name on the dreaded Cleveland QB jersey that continues to collect QB after QB? For now, yes. Cleveland will still need to take a young QB either later in the draft this year (Hello Mason Rudolph!) or next year. For now though, the Browns have finally solved their QB issue.
Outcome
Taylor receives the biggest opportunity to improve on his finish from last season. Barring an injury or a ridiculous move by his head coach, which is still a very real possibility in Cleveland, Taylor should at least finish in the top 10 at his position. Passing yards and touchdowns will go up while rushing yards should remain stagnant. Redraft owners should invest with confidence. His value should be at an all-time high due to preseason hype, so you may need to draft him a little sooner than what the ADP or rankings show. Dynasty owners can invest, but will want to make sure they have a backup option moving forward. Taylor isn’t likely to last more than a couple seasons at most in Cleveland.
Landry will see some regression, but that was because it will be difficult to improve on a WR5 overall performance. Odell Beckham Jr. will be healthy again, Mike Evans can bounce back and Jordy Nelson will have Aaron Rodgers throwing him the ball again. Those players have top-five potential. Add that with some slight regression in TDs, and Landry will drop some. With that being said though, he is still a WR1 in PPR formats. Invest with confidence whether it be redraft or PPR. I have a feeling the Browns will do everything they can to get that long term deal done.
