Summer Sleeper: Cleveland Browns

Eric Olinger

sleeper

With less than a month before all training camps open around the NFL, we begin our annual series focusing on a few sleepers from all 32 teams in the NFL. You can find all of the Summer Sleeper articles here.

These sleepers all have varying levels of “sleeperness,” but all merit a little more talking about here in the Premium Content section. Some of these players are deep dynasty sleepers who could merit a spot on your bench in a deep league, while others are players who may contribute a little faster than the deep prospects, but deserve more attention than they may be getting. By definition, a sleeper could mean something a little different to everyone, but we’re simply doing the best job we can to unearth one player from each team who fits the category in some way, shape or form.

We’ll never insult you with a comprehensive list of “sleepers” which include such such dynasty mainstay names as Toby Gerhart, Christine Michael or Cordarrelle Patterson. You’re all too good for that.

While many of these players will undoubtedly fizzle, there’s more value in looking more closely at these deeper prospects and players. We invite you to keep an open mind and either or re-assess your value on those who may be rostered in your league or consider adding a few of these deeper prospects we focus on this Summer who are free agents in your league – after all, some are destined to pan out, too.

Feel free to add your own comments (they’re hidden from any non-subscriber) about our choice for the designated sleeper, or nominate one of your own!

[am4show  have=’p2;p3;p4;p5;p6;’  guest_error=’sub_message’  user_error=’sub_message’ ]

Andrew Hawkins, WR CLE

Andrew Hawkins signed a four-year, $13.6 million free agent contract with the Cleveland Browns this off-season after spending his first three professional seasons with the cross state rival Cincinnati Bengals. A diminutive 5’7” / 180 pound jitterbug, Hawkins can do all the things we were expecting to see out of the similarly sized Tavon Austin during his disappointing rookie season.

Even though the Bengals have been one of the league’s pass heaviest teams over the past three seasons, the player known as “Baby Hawk” was disgustingly underused in former offensive coordinator Jay Gruden’s offense. His best season was his sophomore campaign in 2012 when he saw the third most targets on the team (80), behind only A.J. Green (164) and Jermaine Gresham (94).

Here are Hawkins’ career numbers:

chart1

Gruden’s inability to identify a serious secondary target to Green was his biggest failure during his tenure in Cincinnati. He spent way too much time toying with Mohamed Sanu instead of playing Marvin Jones and Hawkins. His arrow was trending upward until he severely sprained his ankle during the first week of training camp last year. The Bengals slapped him with the “injured reserve/designated to return” tag and was forced to sit until week nine. He finished the season with just 12 receptions for 199 yards and no touchdowns.

His disappointing season didn’t scare off the Browns or the Redskins though, as both teams inquired about him during the restricted free agency period. The Browns’ plan was to put him underneath to join Josh Gordon and Jordan Cameron in a re-built aerial attack. Unfortunately, Gordon, a.k.a. Smoky McPot, will undoubtedly be suspended for the entire 2014 season, if not longer, due to multiple drug and alcohol infractions – this leaves Hawkins as the de facto number two option in the passing game behind only Cameron and ahead of less than exciting veterans like Miles Austin and Nate Burleson.

Luckily for the Browns, reports out of OTAs said he was the best Browns wide receiver “by far.” For the record, Gordon participated in these same OTAs. This doesn’t mean he will lead the NFL in receiving yards in 2014 like Gordon did in 2013, but it means he has the potential to ridiculously outperform his current ADP of 189.20 as the WR78. With new offensive coordinator Kyle Shannahan calling the plays, Baby Hawk will have every opportunity to set career highs across the board. Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer compared him to Wes Welker, who he played with while they were both with the Patriots, saying “he runs every route to win.”

Rarely does a wide receiver switch teams after turning 28 years old and then turn in to a fantasy stud (Brandon Lloyd is the closest thing I can recall), but Hawkins has limited wear and tear on his body entering his fourth year in the NFL. He spent two years playing for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League.

If “Baby Hawk” continues getting drafted as a WR7 in the 16th round of start-ups, you should consider yourself lucky and pull the trigger without hesitation. In this offense he has the potential to be a solid WR4 and to flirt with WR3 numbers in PPR leagues depending on the level of quarterback play the team gets. Remember, garbage time is often a fantasy squad’s best friend. Call it the “Cecil Shorts Rule.” I would undoubtedly take him over players like Mike Williams, Stevie Johnson and Denarius Moore. If I’m wrong we’re out a 16th rounder, it’s a low risk, high reward investment.

Follow me on Twitter @OlingerIDP

[/am4show]

eric olinger
Latest posts by Eric Olinger (see all)