Fantasy football advice, Week 3: who to start for Cleveland Browns vs. Miami Dolphins
Dan Ciarrocchi reviews who needs to be in your fantasy lineup or on the bench for a battle between winless teams.
Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
Start ‘em
Uhhh…yeah. Yeah, I got nothing. Moving on.
Start ‘em?
That’s more like it? A horrendous game script is expected to befall the Browns, who are forced to start Cody Kessler at quarterback. Kessler doesn’t have the privilege of throwing to Corey Coleman or Josh Gordon at the moment, making it difficult to trust in his ability to move the chains throughout the game. This is awful news for the entire offense, who would love to lean on the backfield tandem of Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson, Jr. to take the weight off of their rookie quarterback. That is easier said than done against a capable Dolphins front seven. Both backs are desperate flex plays, if anything, for Week 3.
Sit ‘em
Fantasy owners with any stock in the Browns’ receiving corps should play wait-and-see before penning Terrelle Pryor or Gary Barnidge into their lineups. Better options are likely available. At least Cleveland has the Cavaliers.
Miami Dolphins
Start ‘em
In addition to the Browns being without Josh McCown, Gordon, Coleman, their dignity, or a fighting chance whatsoever, they could also be without top cornerback Joe Haden, who is dealing with a groin injury. That’s great news for DeVante Parker, who is turning into a legitimate game-breaker. Health permitting, he is a WR2 for the foreseeable future as well as Week 3. Jarvis Landry remains a WR1 in PPR leagues and a steady WR2 in standard formats.
Additionally, while this isn’t a space that’s typically reserved for discussing team defenses, if fantasy owners aren’t starting the Dolphins’ defense against the Browns, they’re doing it wrong.
Start em?
Ryan Tannehill, in full-blown catch-up mode, threw for 389 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions against the Patriots. His game script against the Browns will be friendlier than falling behind 24-3, so it’s fair to question if the volume will be there for him to post QB1 numbers at such a deep position. Streamers could do worse than Tannehill this week, but he is a fringe QB2.
Sit ‘em
With Arian Foster ruled out, the Dolphins’ backfield-by-committee is a situation for fantasy owners in all formats to avoid.
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