Sit/Start Week 2: Reviewing All the Fantasy Relevant Players In Every Single Game

Browns at Jets

 

Game Info

Kickoff: Monday, September 16th at 8:20 pm EST

Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ

Betting Odds: CLE -2.5, 45.5 Total via Oddsshark

Network: ESPN

Sleeper Spotlight: Rashard Higgins

 

Cleveland Browns

 

Quarterback

• • Baker Mayfield (Start/QB1)

 

“They were, who we thought they were.” Delanie Walker used Dennis Green’s famous quote when asked about the Titan’s romp of the Browns. The Browns looked like a mess and Baker Mayfield was no exception. Mayfield had three interceptions and was under constant pressure from the Titans front. I honestly think this is great for Mayfield and the Browns. The entire football community was anointing them already and they needed some adversity. The Jets defense, on the other hand, is not that. C.J. Mosley will likely be out this game. Once Mosley left last week, the Bills mounted a comeback and had their way with the Jets defense. The Browns weakest link on offense is the line, but the Jets won’t be able to capitalize. If Mayfield has enough time, he will punish the Jets’ suspect corners. If you draft Mayfield, you don’t have much of a choice but to start him. I think that is still the right move this week.

 

Running Backs

• Nick Chubb (Start/RB1)

• D’Ernst Johnson (Sit)

• Dontrell Hilliard (Sit)

 

Nick Chubb is a bell-cow back and you should not pay attention to the other two listed. D’Ernst Johnson and Dontrell Hilliard each had one catch and one rush last week. Hilliard’s happened to come in the red zone and went for a touchdown, so I wanted to include him. But Hilliard is the third back, so I felt the need to include Johnson as well. The main point here is Chubb is the only RB that matters, at least until Kareem Hunt comes back. Chubb should have been game scripted out last week against the Titans but still managed 17 carries for 75 yards and three catches. The Jets front seven is susceptible without Mosely and Buffalo had success on the ground. Chubb should have his way Monday night against the Jets.

 

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

• Odell Beckham Jr. (Start/WR1)

• Jarvis Landry (Start/FLEX)

• Rashard Higgins (Sleeper for FLEX)

• David Njoku (Start/TE1)

 

If you drafted any of the Browns’ pass catchers, you probably weren’t very happy last week. I guess if you had David Njoku, who salvaged his day with a touchdown, you were ok. The matchup last week looked excellent with the Titans corners being two of the worst in the NFL yardage allowed last season. But week one of the NFL season is always a surprise and that didn’t change last week. Odell Beckham Jr. had seven catches for 71 yards and his best friend Jarvis Landry went for four and 67 yards. I think both will have a bounce-back game against this Jets secondary. The Jets safety duo is strong but their corners are one of the weakest position groups in the NFL. Trumaine Johnson has been a huge disappointment after the Jets signed him to a record-breaking deal and Daryl Roberts wouldn’t be starting on many other teams. Beckham has roasted Johnson in past matchups. This should be a get right game for Beckham and Landry. Rashard Higgins can get into the mix too. He is easily better than the Jets’ third corner and has developed a nice rapport with Mayfield. Higgins is a perfect watch list player right now. Mosely’s absence (we can see why the Jets signed him) also is good news for Njoku on paper. Jamal Adams, the Jets’ best defensive player, may take on covering Njoku. Adams is best to let roam the middle of the field, so I think Njoku avoids the matchup.

 

New York Jets

 

Quarterback

• Sam Darnold (Sit)

*Update, Darnold is out due to Mono

It was an ugly game for Sam Darnold last week. He threw for only 175 yards and one touchdown and was bothered by pressure all game. Even after losing a 16 point lead and not playing up to expectations, Darnold had a chance to get the Jets a win. Darnold missed Robby Anderson streaking down the field twice on the Jets’ last drive. If Darnold made a good throw, either would have been an easy touchdown. Darnold looks for face similar pressure this week with a patched-together offensive line and Myles Garrett, Larry Ogunjobi, Sheldon Richardson, and Olivier Vernon on their way to MetLife. I think Darnold can be an eventual fantasy starter this year, but I wouldn’t risk streaming him this week.

 

Running Backs

• Le’Veon Bell (Start/RB2)

 

While Le’Veon Bell didn’t have a huge game, he did everything fantasy owners were looking for when they drafted him. Bell handled 17 out of 21 carries and had the second-most receptions on the team. The yardage will improve as the year goes on and Bell gets back into the swing of pro football. Derrick Henry had himself a day against this Browns defense, but I don’t expect Bell to have the same kind of success. The Titans have a great run-blocking line who were able to control the Browns defensive line. Bell should get plenty of targets, especially if the Jets are playing from behind as Vegas expects. If the Jets’ line can do half of what the Titans did, Bell will be good enough for an RB2.

 

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

• Jamison Crowder (Start/WR2)

• Robby Anderson (Sit)

 

The Jets passing tree is going to be pretty limited. Jamison Crowder had a whopping 17 targets last week that he converted for 14 catches and a lowly 99 yards. This wins Crowder the “Jarvis Landry of the Week” award. Reports out of Jets camp were correct, Darnold will be heavily targeting Crowder. I am a Robby Anderson fan, but he has a brutal stretch of cornerbacks to face. It started last week with Tre’Davious White and continues with Denzel Ward this week. Anderson will be shadowed by Ward and I expect him to see minimal targets from Darnold, it just makes more sense for the game plan to avoid Ward. Until Chris Herndon comes back, there are not viable Jets’ tight ends. I’m predicting a heavy target week for Crowder and Bell again.

 

BREAKING: As I am writing this preview, the Jets traded a sixth-round pick in 2021 for Demaryius Thomas and Quincy Enunwa is out for the year with a neck injury. Thomas shouldn’t be considered save for a desperate flex play in deep leagues.

-Frank Costanzo (@FrankQBList)

 

Featured Image by Nathan Mills (@NathanMillsPL)