Cleveland Browns coach Hue Jackson has officially named DeShone Kizer the team’s starting quarterback, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Mary Kay Cabot. Kizer will be under center against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1.
Fantasy implications of DeShone Kizer earning Browns’ starting job to open 2017
Rookie DeShone Kizer is now the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback. We break down the fantasy implications.
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Kizer has one touchdown and one interception during the 2017 preseason and has completed 25 of 49 pass attempts this summer.
Fantasy impact: Kizer’s anointment as the team’s go-to-guy makes him the third-youngest starting quarterback in the NFL since 2000. Nobody expects him to light up the fantasy world, but the Browns have nothing to lose.
Kizer’s ascension into the starting role seems to have been a foregone conclusion for a while now. It also appears Cody Kessler will back him up. Offseason acquisition Brock Osweiler is likely going to be let go by the team.
Fantasy owners may dig deep into the waiver wire to add Kizer during the season in deep leagues, but for now he’s a developing story. No need to save a roster spot for him at the moment.
As far as Browns receivers go, it’s going to be very hard to trust any of them with a rookie calling the shots. Both Corey Coleman, Kenny Britt, and David Njoku are going to be week-to-week gambles until Kizer proves he can find chemistry with someone. That said, there are a few surprises in every fantasy season and 2017 may finally be a positive one in Cleveland.
