Instant Analysis: Browns Sign Robert Griffin III

Ryan Finley Posted On March 24, 2016

If people consider New England and Dallas the trip to Hawaii of fantasy relevance, Cleveland must be like a trip to Iowa City. This isn’t meant as a knock on Iowa City, but it ain’t no Hawaii. So if you’re one of those owners holding Robert Griffin III with the hopes he catches on in a great situation (and I’m one of them), you might find yourself disappointed with this news. But before you go commit fantasy harakiri over it, let’s look at what this really means for RG3’s fantasy value.

Then

[am4show have=’g1;’ guest_error=’sub_message’ user_error=’sub_message’ ]

2012 was an interesting rookie draft in quite a few ways. We had the “once in a generation” quarterback in Andrew Luck, the “once in a generation” running back in Trent Richardson (don’t try to hide from it, you thought so too!) and another quarterback prospect many thought was elite in RG3. Where Luck had the classic profile with all the tools to be a great pocket passer, RG3 was the dynamic playmaker with elite athleticism. Picking third in rookie drafts that year netted you RG3 quite often, and most folks were quite happy with that. Especially once the 2012 NFL season actually happened.

RG3’s numbers in his rookie season were nothing short of astounding: 3200 yards passing, a 65% completion rate, and 20 touchdowns against only five interceptions (for a rookie!) Stopping at the passing numbers alone make him look pretty darn promising, but then you add in 826 yards and seven touchdowns rushing. (By way of comparison, Isaiah Crowell last year had 706 yards and four touchdowns – yuck.) This stunning performance led to the 2012 Offensive Rookie of the Year for RG3, and had the additional effect of causing some Luck owners to wish they had drafted differently.

But there was a gray cloud over the end of the 2012 season, when RG3 tore both his LCL and ACL in a playoff game against Seattle. This has been quite the source of controversy, as there are conflicting reports over whether or not RG3 should have even been on the field. In any case, it was all downhill for RG3 in Washington after that injury. Our own Jeff Haverlack pointed out the injury concerns around a quarterback like RG3 back in 2012, and we all know the rest of the story — a litany of injuries, battles with the coaching staff, and how RG3 finally lost the Washington starting job for good. But that was then, and this is:

Now

It’s a new dawn for RG3 in Cleveland. So what can he do with his new tools, the new coaching staff, and a new offense in the Dawg Pound? I think there are a few reasons for some optimism.

First, it has been reported Cleveland gave RG3 $6.75m guaranteed. While that isn’t starter money, it isn’t pure flyer money either. I think this says that he will have a very good shot to become the starter.

Second, Cleveland actually has some intriguing weapons on offense. There’s this wide receiver named Josh Gordon who was pretty good before he got caught with Cheech and Chong. If he is to be reinstated, he’s an awfully good target for RG3. There’s also Gary Barnidge at tight end, who had a pretty good year. And you may not know this, but I’m a huge fan of Duke Johnson, and he’s the kind of pass catching back who could really work well with a creative, scrambling quarterback like RG3.

Third, RG3 could benefit greatly from Hue Jackson. One of RG3’s major issues in Washington post-2012 was that he didn’t fit the offensive philosophy that Jay Gruden wanted to run. He asked RG3 to stand in the pocket more, and took away all of the designed runs that helped RG3 succeed. He was a square peg that Gruden was trying to fit into a round hole. RG3 needs to be able to create to take advantage of his gifts, and a Hue Jackson offense should give him more leeway to do just that. It also helps that Jackson has a reputation as a quarterback guru.

The last reason you can afford to be optimistic with RG3 is simply that you can afford him. This news isn’t going to send his value through the roof. You aren’t going to see a reaction like we saw with Alfred Morris signing in Dallas, where dynasty owners lose their minds and start overpaying for situation. Leagues with shorter rosters likely had RG3 on waivers, while folks in larger leagues how held him probably won’t ask for a king’s ransom in return for the “not-quite-the-guaranteed-starter-in-Cleveland.” Hell, even if we were guaranteed the job in Cleveland, it wouldn’t send his price too high. But think for a second about what you could be buying. Will we ever see the RG3 of 2012 again? His knee and recent performance says probably not. But if we do see the real Robert Griffin III again, I want to be the guy holding him.

[/am4show]