Titans at Browns
Game Info
Kickoff: 9/8, 1 pm ET
Location: FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, OH
Betting Odds: Cleveland -5 via Oddsshark
Network: CBS
Sleeper Spotlight: Rashard Higgins
Cleveland Browns
Quarterback
- Baker Mayfield
Baker is one of the most electrifying personalities in all of football. Last season he was also one of the most intriguing players on the field as well. All offseason we have heard how the Browns will have one of the most potent attacks in the NFL. Now it is time to see it. Baker has the weapons necessary to become a top-five fantasy quarterback but whether he and the Browns live up to the hype, is yet to be seen. He has a tough test at home against a stout Titans defensive unit.
Running Backs
- Nick Chubb
- Dontrell Hilliard
- Kareem Hunt
With Duke Johnson out of the picture and Kareem Hunt, not a factor until at least week 10, Nick Chubb has the backfield all to himself. Chubb will get as much work as he can handle this year, which is encouraging and worrisome. While he has the volume to make him a top-five back, his durability is a concern with that many carries. Perhaps the Browns have a plan to spell him more than we know. Dontrell Hilliard remains the handcuff to own for now. Chubb will also have his work cut out for him against the Titans’ front, which was one of the best against the run last season.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
- Odell Beckham Jr.
- Jarvis Landry
- Rashard Higgins
- David Njoku
Odell Beckham Jr. is a tremendous addition to an already potent offense. Teaming up with old friend and teammate, Jarvis Landry, It will be interesting to see how the targets are divided up between the two. Rashard Higgins has shown the ability to be effective in this offense but behind these two powerhouses, targets will be tough to come by. David Njoku remains a luxury option for a team already armed with plenty of weapons. Njoku is a vertical burner and can carve up the middle of the field when teams lock down the Browns’ wideouts. The Browns will look to unleash their aerial assault against a Titans team that was middle of the pack against the pass last season.
Tennessee Titans
Quarterbacks
- Marcus Mariota
- Ryan Tannehill
Marcus Mariota has had one of the most up-and-down careers in the NFL. Now he finds himself in a contract year and with newly signed Ryan Tannehill breathing down his neck. If Mariota finds himself in a rough outing, the Titans are likely to kick the tires on Tannehill.
Running Backs
- Derrick Henry
- Dion Lewis
The Titans’ offense will lean heavily on the shoulders of Derrick Henry. He should be one of the best backs in standard leagues this year but takes quite a hit in PPR with his inability to catch the ball. It will be tough sledding in week one for Henry, with the Browns’ revamped defensive front. Dion Lewis was a bit of a disappointment in his first year with the Titans. He does not have a whole lot of value outside of deep PPR leagues but perhaps the Titans will find ways to get him more involved.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
- Corey Davis
- A.J. Brown
- Delanie Walker
- Adam Humphries
Corey Davis was another disappointing piece of the Titans’ offense last season. He hasn’t looked much better in the preseason with Mariota or Tannehill at QB. It will be hard for this offense to support one fantasy-relevant wide receiver, much less two, and that is tough for rookie A.J. Brown. Adam Humphries found success underneath for Tampa Bay and will look to serve that same purpose in Tennessee. He is an interesting dart-throw in PPR leagues. Lastly, Mariota gets one of his favorite targets back in Delanie Walker. Walker is a value in drafts or off the waiver wire to begin the season.
–Aaron Rader (@RayDur)