Saints @ Browns: Fantasy Football Outlook

Disappointing loss against the Falcons but at least your fantasy football Saints didn’t suck. Unless you started the Saints’ defense: a unsavvy decision, as I told you last week. Tomorrow the Saints travel to Cleveland for what looks like to be another prolific game in terms of fantasy football production. Let’s begin our position-by-position breakdown with the home team.

CLEVELAND BROWNS

QB

Can’t wait to see what Johnny Football does in the NFL! Wait, what??? Hoyer is still starting?

RB

I’m sorry for everyone who drafted Ben Tate. Well, not really: it was just a matter of time before he got injured AGAIN. So now the Browns have to go with rookies Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell. West showed he can be a good starting running back, racking up 100 yards on 16 attempts while Crowell had only 5 carries…but two TDs. Nice, uh?

I believe Terrance West is a borderline RB2 at this point, considering that the Browns will run the ball even if they’re trailing, as I observed in this article.

Terrance West’s Projections:

NFL.com – 7.o0 pts

ESPN – 5 pts

YAHOO – 11.88 pts

WR

Not much to talk about here: Andrew Hawkins, who had 8 catches for 87 yards on 10 total targets, is your only option among Browns’ wide receivers. With Jordan Cameron out he’ll probably see even more targets. On a side note, pick up Josh Gordon if he’s available in your league: his suspension will be reduced to 10 games, per Adam Schefter:

TE

Superstar tight end Jordan Cameron is officially listed as questionable but a lots of reports indicate that he will not play Sunday due to a shoulder injury. To replace him you can go with Delanie Walker (TEN) against the Dallas Cowboys or Larry Donnell (NYG) against the Arizona Cardinals.

K

Average performance from Billy Cundiff last week when he hit 2/2 field goals from 39 and 25 yards. If you want average from your kicker feel free to start him but I’m staying away from him.

D/ST

Never start a defense that plays Drew Brees but keep an eye on the Browns’ defense the next few weeks, especially if you like to stream defenses because it may be a nice sleeper start if the matchup is favorable.

Sep 7, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) celebrates with team mates after catching a touchdown pass against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons defeated the Saints 37-34 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

QB

Even if on-the-road Drew Brees won’t put up stellar quarterback numbers, like he usually does at home, he’s still a must-start against a shaky Browns secondary that will face way too many mismatches to cover everybody.

RB

Mark Ingram

Great performance last week with 18.60 fantasy points but can he do it again this week? I think he’s gonna have a nice day but maybe without 2 TDs: we’ve seen the Saints like to shuffle their backs, even in red zone/goal line situations. Start Ingram as he is working his way into a RB2 spot.

Pierre Thomas

Thomas was the only back without a touchdown but he’s still a good Flex option and he’s gonna have his fair share of opportunities this week.

Khiry Robinson

As long as Ingram keeps pounding the rock like he did last week Robinson will see fewer snaps than Ingram or Thomas. Don’t give up on him just yet, keep him on your bench.

WR

Marques Colston

Despite a game-costing fumble at the end Colston had a nice fantasy performance with 5 catches for 110 yards. He could have had even more but he dropped a few passes in the second half. Expect him to correct those mental mistakes and start him without overthinking this.

Brandin Cooks

Wow! Cooks is everything we wanted him to be and Sean Payton will not let him starve. Last week I had some concern about his targets but that’s not a problem anymore. An excellent Flex option, Cooks can be started as a WR2 in case you need him to fill that spot.

Brandin Cooks’ Projections:

NFL.com – 11.60 pts

ESPN – 10.00 pts

YAHOO – 10.48 pts

Kenny Stills

Stills was a full participant in Friday’s injury report and he’ll probably get some reps during the game. Still to soon to start him but he’s 100% healthy he’s worth a spot on your bench.

TE

Really quiet game for Graham last week but he still had 8 catches for 82 yards. No touchdowns for him but consider that the Saints had 3 rushing TDs and only one passing score last week and I expect that to change. Brace yourselves, touchdowns are coming.

K

Shayne Graham has yet to miss a field goal in a regular season game with the Saints and if they keep scoring 30+ points per game he’s definitely worth a start. He was the 2nd-best place kicker with 13 fantasy points last week and he’s still available in many leagues right now. What are you waiting for? Go pick him up!

D/ST

After a slow start the Saints defense has a chance to bounce back this week as Cleveland allowed 3 sacks and a couple of quarterback hits and passes deflected against the Steelers. If you like to stream defenses, the Saints’ defense is definitely an option to consider.

If you have ANY fantasy football question you can find me on Twitter @FedeFerrari10.

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