Which members of the Cleveland Browns should you start or sit heading into your Week 1 fantasy football match-ups? The Browns will be hosting the Miami Dolphins, a team that can be viewed as being in a somewhat similar position in terms of their growth process heading into 2013.
(Key: Start / Sit / Enticing)
- QB Brandon Weeden - The Dolphins' secondary was average in 2012, and it is a bit uncertain how they will perform in 2013 with two new starters in Brent Grimes and Dimitri Patterson. Weeden is without his top receiver (Josh Gordon) and had one of the worst opening games possible last season against Philadelphia, so there should be plenty of other better options this week.
- RB Trent Richardson - Miami features a stout defensive front, but the dynamic-and-healthy Richardson is pretty much a sure-start every week. Without proven backups behind him, he could be in for a really heavy workload against Miami.
- WR Greg Little - Little seems like the best wide receiver threat for the Browns this week, but that's not saying much. He is a good, tough, physical receiver, but has not been a consistent fantasy threat over the past two seasons. It's hard to bank on him becoming one now.
- WR Davone Bess - While Bess puts up a good amount of yardage, he's only had 12 receiving touchdowns in five years with Miami. Until he bucks that trend in Cleveland, he's not worth a start. He is facing his former team, though...
- TE Jordan Cameron - Ah, here is the prized gem who fantasy players around the world (particularly Browns fans) hope becomes "the next big thing" at tight end. With Weeden's favorite target suspended and Rob Chudzinski's love for tight ends, coupled with Cameron's athleticism, Cameron looks like a savvy Week 1 start.
- K Billy Cundiff - No...just, no.
- DEF/ST Cleveland - The Browns have a new, aggressive, pass-rushing front seven. The Dolphins have some holes on their offensive line and running backs who are not proven at the NFL level. At the very least, the Browns' defense shouldn't get torched this week, and the upside is that they could turn in the surprise performance of the week. Also, with how awesome Travis Benjamin has looked on punt returns, you never know when a nice little bonus touchdown might come your way.
Let us know if you are starting any members of the Browns in your fantasy leagues. I have Richardson in my DBN league, and he is getting the start.