The Cleveland Browns have picked Brian Hoyer to be the starting quarterback over Johnny Manziel and now with Josh Gordon suspended, the best fantasy football draft options include Miles Austin, Andrew Hawkins, Nate Burleson, Travis Benjamin and Jordan Cameron, as the team will have to make up that Gordon production from last season after he led the league in receiving yards last year and some of those names could be top sleepers in the league.
Gordon was looked at as a sleeper of sorts himself, obviously not because of his talents, but because before last week no one knew how long he would be suspended. Many fantasy owners drafted him in middle rounds in the hopes that he could play in at least some of the schedule, but he now has been suspended for the season. Last year he missed two games and still put up 87 catches for 1646 yards and nine scores and now the Browns have to find a way to get that back from their group of receivers.
Hawkins and Austin are likely the best picks, as they should get the most targets, but in deeper leagues. Burleson and Benjamin also could be solid options. Cameron is now a top tight end option and with Gordon out he could end up putting up some very good numbers and some have called him Jimmy Graham light. Cameron is the top TE option on the Browns and names like Hawkins, Burleson and Austin are the names to keep an eye on.
Austin comes into the season as a player that could have a surprise season with Gordon out, as he is looking to stay healthy for the first time in c few years. Austin has the potential to be a Pro Bowl type player after making it earlier in his career and now he is with the Browns and could be the number one option after Gordon. Austin had three catches for 36 yards through three preseason games, but those numbers really aren't that important as long as he can contribute this season.
Austin had some big seasons in Dallas before he dealt with injury issues and at one point he put up back to back 1,000 yard seasons. Back in 2009 and 2010 he did not miss any games and he had 81 catches for 1320 yards and then 69 catches for 1041 yards, but then the injuries started. Last season he played in just 11 games and had 24 catches and before that he was healthy, going for 66 catches and 943 yards. Those types of numbers could be in line for Austin again and he could be a solid pick in fantasy.
Hawkins is the player with the highest upside and while he was injured and played in just eight games last season, the year before that he had a breakout season. Hawkins had 51 catches for 533 yards two years ago and now he has the chance to get back to that. Hawkins has speed and he could be an explosive option and in PPR leagues he has some strong value.
