Dynasty Capsule: Cleveland Browns

As part of the premium content package, we’re again unveiling dynasty capsules for every team in the NFL leading up to free agency and the NFL Draft. This year, we’re again going to do a follow-up on all the teams after all the free agency and NFL Draft movement to assess the impact of any players teams have gained or lost. Since these capsules are always done as a simple snapshot in time, we figured that was the best way to tackle the off-season and provide ultimate value for our subscribers. All in all, we’ll have close to 500 player profiles found in these capsules over the off-season.

When I took this assignment, it was before the latest shakeup with the Browns front office.  Hopefully for the great Browns fans (including my best friend and two brothers) they will find a greater level of success and vision among all the turmoil.

Quarterbacks

Brain Hoyer

The former Belichick disciple developed behind Tom Brady in New England for three years before getting released in 2012.  After two short-lived stints in Pittsburgh and Arizona in the 2012 season, the Browns signed him to back up Brandon Weeden last season.  When Weeden went down with an injury, Hoyer stepped up and impressed the Browns coaching staff and fans alike against the Vikings and Bengals.  In those combined two games, the quarterback threw for almost 600 yards and five touchdowns which sparked the offense.  Hoyer rallied the team and showed tremendous poise in rallying them.  Unfortunately for him, he suffered a torn ACL injury versus the Bills in Week Five, so the fans and Browns front office isn’t sure if his limited performance was progress or a fluke.

Hoyer does not have a strong arm, but is more dynamic and possesses more leadership than the rest of the quarterbacks now on the team.  He might have limited upside if the Browns do not select a quarterback in the first round.  Regardless, Cleveland will get a younger quarterback in the draft to develop so Hoyer’s upside is rather limited.  I would roster him as a QB3 and hope the Browns somehow don’t go quarterback in round one.

Brandon Weeden

The third year quarterback who will be turning 31 in October has not improved his game from year one.  He has a strong arm, limited mobility and struggles at making decisions on the fly.  There are now reports he wants out of Cleveland and it looks like the Browns would like that as well.  Despite not having much of a running game, a top five wide receiver, and a top six tight end, the signal caller regressed in 2013.  Sure, Weeden spent much of the  season banged up, but he lost his starting job to Jason Campbell due to ineffectiveness.  He should only be rostered in the deepest of leagues and only as a last resort.

Jason Campbell

The journeyman quarterback filled in nicely and provided leadership to the team.  He is still a viable backup, but his best years are behind him.  I doubt he makes the Browns final roster.

Running Backs

Dion Lewis

After getting traded from the Eagles, it looked like Lewis could be a change of pace back for the Browns in 2013.  Unfortunately, he suffered a fractured fibula and ligament damage in a preseason game.  He could grind out a decent role with the Browns depending on how new offensive coordinator Kyle Shananhan decides to use him. Chances are a younger running back will get drafted with a chance to start; however, I would roster him for depth as a RB5-6.

Edwin Baker

Baker got pulled off the taxi squad in week fifteen to start and remained the main back for the rest of the season.  Baker is more of a journeyman/grinder type back who looked rather ordinary with his opportunity.  He may make the Browns roster, but he is in the Isaac Redman category, break if no one else is available.

Fozzy Whittaker

The returner/specialist carved out a role with the Browns after getting released by the Chargers midseason.  He did most of his work as a third down back and returner.  I don’t expect his role to change much with the new regime.

Wide Receivers

Josh Gordon

He might be the most controversial dynasty fantasy player as he brings the biggest reward at a huge risk.  In 14 games (after his two game suspension for violation of the substance abuse policy), there was no stopping him.  Gordon amassed 87 receptions, over 1,700 yards in offense and nine touchdowns. He is simply bigger, faster and stronger than the defensive backs he faces.  This performance was with no significant threat anywhere else on the offense, sorry Jordan Cameron.  If, and it’s a big IF, he can focus himself strictly to football, he could maintain this production for many years.  Gordon had slow rookie season, but much of that could have been due to him sitting out the prior year before entering the league in the supplemental draft.  The change in offensive coordinator won’t hurt him as much as you would think as Shanahan got great production out of Pierre Garcon (113 receptions, 1,346 receiving yards and five touchdowns) last season with inconsistent quarterback play.  If you like it safe, this is not the player for you.  Gordon is a top five dynasty asset if you have the stomach for it.

Greg Little

Little, despite having a receiver on the opposite side of the field take double and triple teams, only produced 41 receptions for 465 yards and two touchdowns last season.  There is a lot of draft speculation calling for the Browns to make a big upgrade at the receiver position, so Little will either be on the way out or see a reduced role which further reduces his value.  He is hardly fantasy rosterable right now unless it’s the deepest of leagues. The old regime was reportedly ready to move on.

Davone Bess

The former Hawaii receiver came to the Browns with high expectations last season.  Other than a November game against the division rival Ravens where Bess had two touchdown receptions, he did not make a significant impact on the offense.  Reports have since come out stating he struggles with personal demons and had to be hospitalized against his will as well as him having several dealings with the law.  I wish him the best, but I’m not sure he belongs in the NFL, let alone a dynasty roster at this time.

Tight End

Jordan Cameron

The former basketball player made a huge jump in production from year two to year three catching 80 passes for 917 yards and scored seven times.  While these numbers were impressive, the young tight end would either be highly productive or almost be invisible.  He is not an impressive blocker, so he might not see the field as often as his dynasty owners would like.  Shanahan’s offense is not as tight end friendly as former offensive coordinator Norv Turner’s was, so I would expect a drop in his numbers.  Cameron should still produce as a top six tight end option, but expect the same inconsistency from week to week.

For further questions or comments, please contact me on twitter @AndrewMiley