NFL Fantasy Football Matchup Cheat Sheet: Cleveland Browns
In NFL daily fantasy leagues, matchups are important. Pay attention to favorable matchups rather than the overall quality of individual players. It is better to select an above-average offensive player facing poor or average defense than an elite talent facing above-average or elite defense.
Each position in ranked according to one of these four ratings: Elite, Above-average, Average, and Poor.
Offense
QB Johnny Manziel, Brian Hoyer: Average
RB Ben Tate: Average
WR1 Josh Gordon*: Elite (Gordon will be suspended for 8 to 16 games in 2014 for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy)
WR2 Nate Burleson: Poor
Slot WR Andrew Hawkins: Average
TE Jordan Cameron: Above-average
O-line: LT Joe Thomas, LG Joel Bitonio, C Alex Mack, RG John Greco, RT Mitchel Schwartz: Elite
Manziel might be an immediate success. After playing behind a line at Texas A&M that was constantly producing top tier o-line prospects, he should transition well to Cleveland’s stellar line featuring elite left tackle Joe Thomas and elite center Alex Mack. Bitonio was one of the best guard prospects of the 2014 draft class and will make an immediate impact on the inside of the line.
Not helping Manziel is the suspension of Josh Gordon. He is easily the most dangerous weapon the Browns have and with his absence Cleveland quarterbacks will be held back by an average receiving corps.
Defense
CB1 Joe Haden: Elite
CB2 Justin Gilbert: Average
Nickel CB Buster Skrine: Poor
Safeties: SS Donte Whitner, FS Tashaun Gibson: Above-average
Linebackers: OLB Paul Kruger, ILB Christian Kirksey, ILB Carlos Dansby, OLB Jabaal Sheard: Above-average
D-line: DE Ahtyba Rubin, NT Phil Taylor, DE Desmond Bryant: Average
Don’t play WR1s against Cleveland. Haden is one of the best corners in the game, up there with Sherman, Revis, and Peterson. More often than not he is able to dissuade quarterbacks from throwing in his direction. Slot receivers are a better play against Cleveland, due to the consistently poor play of nickel cornerback Skrine.
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