Yesterday's Cleveland Plain Dealer had an interesting observation about the Browns' QB situation:
"At times, [Josh] McCown looked more ready in spring practices than Griffin to start and win a game. He knows the offensive line and already has good timing with some of the receivers. Last season, he finished 14th in the NFL with a 93.3 quarterback rating."
Cleveland is in rebuilding mode. But that doesn't mean they'll keep starting RGIII if the former standout struggles. Rookie Cody Kessler doesn't appear to be close to ready. McCown is my 35th ranked QB for a reason: With Ryan Fitzpatrick signed in New York, McCown is one of the "first men up" if RGIII falls flat or if another team's starter goes down. He's old but competent, and that's why he should be on every 2-QB leaguer's radar.
Bold Predictions 7 and 8:
(7) Ryan Mathews (RB-21 ADP) will not be a top 30 RB – Mathews is 1-for-6 on playing a full season. That’s a good place to start when determining his value. I don’t trust his durability and doubt he’ll garner enough scoring opportunities in what should be a bottom-10 offense. While his 5.1 YPC in 2015 looks good, when you remove the outlier (six rushes for 97 yards in Week 7), his YPC drops to 4.4—in line with his career average. His durability issues and the anticipating involvement of rookie RB Wendell Smallwood and veteran Darren Sproles cap Mathews’ upside. He’s the draft pick you’ll want to take back—immediately and most weeks thereafter.
(8) Mike Wallace (WR-63 ADP) will be a top 45 WR – Wallace had by far the worst season of his seven-year career last season . . . not because he’s no longer talented, but because Teddy Bridgewater was throwing to him and Adrian Peterson was the centerpiece of Minnesota’s offense. Although he showed up for camp out of shape, that’s not indicative of the veterans we’ll see Week 1. It’s simply odd that Wallace is receiving almost zero fantasy love. 2015 is irrelevant in today’s fantasy universe. If Steve Smith Sr. is healthy Week 1, Wallace will be a WR4+ most weeks. Whenever Smith (or Kamar Aiken) is sidelined, Wallace is a must-start WR3+ in most leagues.
"At times, [Josh] McCown looked more ready in spring practices than Griffin to start and win a game. He knows the offensive line and already has good timing with some of the receivers. Last season, he finished 14th in the NFL with a 93.3 quarterback rating."
Cleveland is in rebuilding mode. But that doesn't mean they'll keep starting RGIII if the former standout struggles. Rookie Cody Kessler doesn't appear to be close to ready. McCown is my 35th ranked QB for a reason: With Ryan Fitzpatrick signed in New York, McCown is one of the "first men up" if RGIII falls flat or if another team's starter goes down. He's old but competent, and that's why he should be on every 2-QB leaguer's radar.
Bold Predictions 7 and 8:
(7) Ryan Mathews (RB-21 ADP) will not be a top 30 RB – Mathews is 1-for-6 on playing a full season. That’s a good place to start when determining his value. I don’t trust his durability and doubt he’ll garner enough scoring opportunities in what should be a bottom-10 offense. While his 5.1 YPC in 2015 looks good, when you remove the outlier (six rushes for 97 yards in Week 7), his YPC drops to 4.4—in line with his career average. His durability issues and the anticipating involvement of rookie RB Wendell Smallwood and veteran Darren Sproles cap Mathews’ upside. He’s the draft pick you’ll want to take back—immediately and most weeks thereafter.
(8) Mike Wallace (WR-63 ADP) will be a top 45 WR – Wallace had by far the worst season of his seven-year career last season . . . not because he’s no longer talented, but because Teddy Bridgewater was throwing to him and Adrian Peterson was the centerpiece of Minnesota’s offense. Although he showed up for camp out of shape, that’s not indicative of the veterans we’ll see Week 1. It’s simply odd that Wallace is receiving almost zero fantasy love. 2015 is irrelevant in today’s fantasy universe. If Steve Smith Sr. is healthy Week 1, Wallace will be a WR4+ most weeks. Whenever Smith (or Kamar Aiken) is sidelined, Wallace is a must-start WR3+ in most leagues.