The Cleveland Browns have two solid fantasy football RB options with Ben Tate and Terrance West heading into Week 1 and fantasy owners should look at starting both players, while the suspension of Josh Gordon has made Miles Austin, Andrew Hawkins and Travis Benjamin the top WR free agent pickups from the team after Nate Burleson was released.
The Browns are dealing with a number of questions heading into the season and for fantasy owners, they are looking at the RBs with Ben Tate and Terrance West, while at receiver there is an opening with Gordon out. Tate is coming in as the starter for Week 1, but many feel that West will be a solid number two sleeper and could even overtake Tate at some point if he struggles. Tate was wildly productive in college and now he will have the chance to do it in the pros.
Tate is coming in after some solid years with the Texans and now this is his first chance to be a full time starter in the NFL. Last season Tate rushed for 771 yards while coming in for an injured Arian Foster and that was in 14 games and that came two seasons after he rushed for nearly 950 yards while doing the same for Foster. Tate had 34 catches last season and should be a factor out of the backfield, but many see West as a strong sleeper.
The Browns traded Trent Richardson last season, so they are ready for Tate and West to step up and if college was any indication, West will be ready to roll. Tate was not in DI and went to Towson, but he was wildly productive there and had 84 touchdowns in three seasons. Last season he had 2500 rushing yards and 41 touchdowns and he also added 26 catches for 258 yards and that skill could make him very valuable in PPR leagues this season and he is a legit handcuff for Tate.
The removal of Gordon from the mix is tough for the Browns, but they have some solid options for fantasy owners, including Andrew Hawkins and Miles Austin, who is expected to be the number one starter. Travis Benjamin is also in the mix, but for fantasy owners, Austin and Hawkins should be the two players to keep an eye on. Hawkins missed half the season last year but the previous season he had 51 catches in 14 games and he could be a strong sleeper option this year if he stays healthy.
Austin is the main player to pick up, as he has the better track record despite dealing with injuries in the past. Austin had two straight 1000 yard seasons in his past career and while he is coming off of another injury season, he appears to be healthy for the first time in a while. Austin dealt with injuries in two of the past three seasons and he is coming in after making just 24 catches last year. The Browns hope he takes the form of his 2009 self, as that was his career year with 81 catches for 1321 yards and 11 touchdowns.