Fantasy football projections, Week 1: Browns-Jets featuring Josh McCown, Isaiah Crowell and Brandon Marshall

Cleveland Browns

Johnny Manziel was supposed to be the savior of the Cleveland Browns. That didn’t happen last year, and this year he’ll be backing up veteran Josh McCown. McCown came out of retirement a few years ago and has proved serviceable since returning. He’s a streaming fantasy option at best, but a new season breeds new optimism. The New York Jets have typically been a tough defensive team over the last few years, but McCown may have to sling the ball if the Browns struggle on the ground.

Whether they struggle or succeed running the ball depends on Isaiah Crowell. With Terrance West getting traded to the Tennessee Titans and teammate Duke Johnson injured, Crowell should see the ball a lot against the Jets. He showed spurts of impressive play last year, and while he can’t be depended on week to week necessarily, he may be a good play against New York just because he’ll get a lot of touches.

New York Jets

Starting quarterback Geno Smith is out with a broken jaw, which means that the team’s new No. 1 receiver, Brandon Marshall, will be catching passes from Ryan Fitzpatrick. Marshall had a slow start to last season but managed to pick things up in the second half. Playing on a new team for the first time in a long time is going to be an adjustment no doubt, but Marshall is the clear-cut No. 1 option in New York. He’ll likely draw the attention of cornerback Joe Haden all day long on Sunday, but Marshall has the physical ability to put up numbers regardless of who is defending him.

When the Jets decide to run the ball, it will be in the hands of Chris Ivory. Ivory shared the work load early last year with former teammate Chris Johnson. This season he will be counted on to be the lead back with Bilal Powell and Zac Stacy behind him. If the Jets struggle to throw the ball down the field in Week 1, Ivory could prove to be in for a busy day.