The New York Jets finished 4-12 last year, last in the AFC East. They fired their head coach, traded for a star wide receiver, added a quarterback and remade their defense. The Cleveland Browns finished 7-9 last year, last in the AFC North. They ... well, Josh McCown is around now. On Sunday, the teams kick off their 2015 season against one another, looking to climb out of their respective cellars.
Fantasy football advice, Week 1: Who to start/sit for Browns vs. Jets
Two teams that finished in last place a year ago look to turn things around in 2015.
The Browns should have all their fantasy players ready to go for Sunday. Running back Duke Johnson was dealing with a concussion, but has been cleared to play and is listed as probable. Backup quarterback Johnny Manziel and wide receiver Dwayne Bowe both appeared on the week's injury report, but both should be fine or Sunday. On the Jets side, the team will be without quarterback Geno Smith for a big chunk of the season. Running back Chris Ivory and wide receiver Jeremy Kerley will play despite being listed on the injury report.
Cleveland will travel to the host Jets Sunday for the 1 p.m. ET start. Let’s take a look at the fantasy considerations:
Cleveland Browns
Start 'em: The Browns have many flaws, but offensive line is not one of them. That's a strong unit, and means good things for Isaiah Crowell, who is a fine RB2 or super-high flex.
Start ‘em?: The fate of the Browns’ defense Sunday depends a lot on your opinion of the Jets’ offense. I think it has reasonable quality, which means Cleveland’s defense is a somewhat dicey play.
Sit 'em: The mild bidding war for Josh McCown in the offseason was confounding; he's barely an NFL quarterback, and certainly not a fantasy consideration. ... It remains to be seen how Duke Johnson will do in the pros, but for now he's firmly behind Crowell on the depth chart. ... The Browns just don't have a usable pass catcher, not with that quarterback. It's bad news for Andrew Hawkins, Brian Hartline, Dwayne Bowe and Gary Barnidge. ... Tell me the truth, did you know the name of Cleveland's kicker? It's Travis Coons.
New York Jets
Start 'em: No one saw this coming when he was with New Orleans, but Chris Ivory has become a perfectly fine RB2. ... It's something of a tossup who between Eric Decker and Brandon Marshall will be a better option in a given week, but both are viable starters, at least as a flex play. ... The Jets' defense is much improved this year, and the Cleveland offense isn't special.
Start 'em?: If you believe in the New York offense, you probably believe in Nick Folk.
Sit 'em: There might be no more underrated quarterback right now than Ryan Fitzpatrick, but even being generous, he wouldn't crack the top 15 at the position. He's only a super-desperation play. ... Jeff Cumberland has never really wowed as a tight end, and that's not likely to start now.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Isaiah Crowell, Chris Ivory, Eric Decker, Brandon Marshall, New York defense
Start if you're desperate: Cleveland defense, Nick Folk
Bench: Josh McCown, Duke Johnson, Andrew Hawkins, Brian Hartline, Dwayne Bowe, Gary Barnidge, Travis Coons, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Jeff Cumberland
