The 2016 Cleveland Browns Fantasy Football Preview

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Sep 1, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) look to pass as Chicago Bears defensive tackle Jonathan Bullard (74) defends during the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

The 2016 Cleveland Browns Fantasy Football Preview.

With the start of the NFL season less than a week away, fantasy football season is in full effect. Even though the Cleveland Browns are going to be a bad football team this year, there are still likely going to be players who hold significant fantasy value.

With a bad defense and new offensive game plan – thanks to new head coach Hue Jackson – the skill position players on the Browns’ offense are likely to be in high demand on a weekly basis.

Without further ado, here is what to expect from the Browns’ players in fantasy football this season.

Quarterback: Robert Griffin

2015 Stats: N/A, 0 games played

To say Robert Griffin III’s final season in Washington was a disappointment would be an understatement. After not appearing in any games, it was evident that he was destined for a new home this offseason. Landing in Cleveland has major effects not only on his career as an NFL quarterback, but also as a fantasy football product.

Typically, quarterbacks succeed in fantasy football due to at least one of two things. One of those reasons is that the offense has many weapons to spread the ball out to. The other is the defense is porous, which leads to many games resulting in a shootout. Luckily for RGIII, the Browns have both.

The defense looked really bad in the preseason, and that is unlikely to change early in the season. As far as weapons go, the Browns have not been this deep in years. Gary Barnidge is back, as the tight end looks to build on his career year last season. Rookie wide receiver Corey Coleman appears poised to be a big piece offensively. Terrelle Pryor‘s transition to wide receiver has just about finished, as the former quarterback looks like a seasoned veteran at his new position. As an extra bonus, RGIII’s former teammate at Baylor, wide receiver Josh Gordon, will join the lineup in Week 5.

On paper, things are definitely looking up for RGIII to have a successful fantasy season. However, he is still raw as a passer in the pocket and has not played in a regular season game in over a year. It is likely he will have some big games. However, he will likely struggle in just as many. Until proven otherwise, RGIII should be counted on as nothing more than a bye week fill-in or matchup flier.

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