The Cleveland Browns fantasy football outlook likely rests on whether Josh McCown or Johnny Manziel can play quarterback consistently this season, as players like Duke Johnson, Isaiah Crowell, Dwayne Bowe, Andrew Hawkins, Brian Hartline, Robert Turbin and Gary Barnidge are some of the top draft options for the team.
McCown is opening the season as the starter, but if he doesn't play well, there is a good chance that Manziel gets under center at some point in 2015. The team just traded Terrance West to the Titans, so Isaiah Crowell is now the clear number one running back for the Browns. Duke Johnson has been looked at as a sleeper by many fantasy owners, but he is dealing with a concussion and that could keep him from featuring much early on.
According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Johnson is still dealing with issues related to a concussion suffered in the preseason. Mike Pettine has not confirmed if Johnson will be ready or not for Week 1 and if that happens, a player from the practice squad could be promoted. With West out of the picture, Johnson is worth a pick for fantasy owners, as he could end up the starter if something happens to Crowell or he plays well.
Johnson has the tools to be a lead back and he comes in with good speed and versatility out of the backfield as a running back. While at Miami Johnson averaged over six yards per carry and scored 26 touchdowns in three seasons and he also had 69 catches for the Hurricanes. Last season Crowell rushed for 607 yards and split time with West, but clearly the Browns value Crowell more after dealing West to the Titans. The team also added Robert Turbin and once he is healthy he could be a good handcuff.
Bowe is coming in after signing in the offseason and he could be the second or third receiver along with Brian Hartline and Andrew Hawkins. Bowe made 60 catches last season for 754 yards, but playing for the Chiefs means he has not been in the endzone for two years. Bowe has never been able to match what he did in 2010-2011 when he had 20 combined touchdowns and had back to back 1000 yard seasons and he is looking to bounce back this year.
Andrew Hawkins is worth a look in deeper leagues, as he is the top wideout for the Browns, but with the QB situation in flux, he is no better than a number three of four or even a flex option. Hawkins had 63 receptions last season for 824 yards and two touchdowns for the Browns and he could be in line for those type of numbers again. Hartline is a bit unreliable after how he played last season, but being in a new situation could give him the chance to rebound. After back to back 1000 yard seasons, Hartline had just 39 catches for 474 yards last season.
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