Browns at 49ers
Game Info
Kickoff: Monday, October 7th at 8:15 pm EST
Location: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
Betting Odds: SF -4, 48 Total via Oddsshark
Network: ESPN
Sleeper Spotlight: Richie James Jr.
Cleveland Browns
Quarterback:
- Baker Mayfield (Sit)
Baker Mayfield had his best game of the young season in Week 4 yet he still did not finish as a starting fantasy quarterback. His value has been limited by his touchdown production. While he has thrown for a score in all four games, he’s yet to throw for multiple scores in any of them. Yards alone are not enough for fantasy anymore. Mayfield draws a tough matchup against the 49ers, a defense that’s allowing just 200 yards passing on less than 60% completions. What’s worse is the 49ers look to have found a pass rush, and will be licking their chops against a Browns’ offensive line that is giving up a sack on 10% of their dropbacks. Keep Mayfield on your bench this week.
Running Backs:
- Nick Chubb (Start / RB1)
Despite this being a negative matchup for Nick Chubb that hardly matters right now. While fantasy owners are still underwhelmed by the receiving production, Chubb has rushed for at least 75 yards or a touchdown in every game this season. Last week he exploded for 165 and TDs, showing the power, explosiveness and breakaway speed that we have become accustomed to. Chubb looks to be all that fantasy owners hoped for and is a must-start against any opponent.
Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends:
- Odell Beckham Jr. (Start / Flex)
- Jarvis Landry (Start / Flex)
- Antonio Callaway (Sit)
- Ricky Seals-Jones (SIt)
Aside from a huge game in his old town of New York, Odell Beckham Jr. has been quiet. While Beckham has received at least seven targets in each game this year, he has caught just 55% of them. This week he will be followed all over the field by Richard Sherman and you can be sure Sherman will be ready for the challenge. While he cannot be sat, he will struggle for another week. On the other side or in the slot Jarvis Landry draws a much better matchup but should still have a limited upside. With the 49ers’ ability to pressure the QB, Mayfield will be looking to get rid of the ball early and Landry will benefit but he will need to make individual run after catch plays to produce for fantasy owners. Antonio Callaway returns from suspension this week and while he is expected to get third receiver snaps, he cannot be started until we know his true role. Finally, tight end Ricky Seals-Jones had a big game with 82 yards and a touchdown but he did only receive 21 snaps on the day. That production is sure to come back down to earth this week.
San Francisco 49ers
Quarterback:
- Jimmy Garoppolo (Start / QB1)
49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is beginning to look comfortable in this offense but what that means for fantasy owners may still be limited by his receiving corps. Jimmy G exploded for 297 and three passing touchdowns in Week 2 but owners were disappointed in the other two games. Coming off the bye week owners can expect a sharp Garoppolo and the matchup against the Browns looks to be one to exploit. The Browns are allowing two passing touchdowns per game and Garoppolo should have no trouble getting picking this team apart.
Running Backs:
- Matt Breida (Start / Flex)
- Raheem Mostert (Sit)
- Tevin Coleman (Start / Flex if healthy)
This 49ers backfield has been difficult for fantasy owners to figure out and this week might not provide much clarity. At the very least Matt Breida should be played with confidence. The Browns are struggling to defend running backs out of the backfield, and the 49ers will look to exploit this. Raheem Mostert will be used in running situations but he may not have the volume to warrant a start. Keep an eye on the injury reports coming our of San Francisco as Tevin Coleman could be set for a return. If so then Mostert heads back to the bench and Coleman picks up all of the early-down work. We haven’t seen what role the team has for Coleman but heading into the season I expected it to be a big one. If he plays he is a good flex play.
Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends:
- Marquise Goodwin (Sit)
- Deebo Samuel (Sit)
- Dante Pettis (Sit)
- George Kittle (Start / TE1)
It should come as no surprise that George Kittle leads the team in targets, catches, and yards but he’s yet to get into the endzone. Have patience though, the touchdowns will come and when they do they will come in bunches. Don’t get cute and leave him on your bench after the bye week.
The 49ers wide receiving corps has been much tougher to figure out. Right now it looks like Marquise Goodwin is losing snaps. Dante Pettis appears to be gaining them, despite an up and down performance in Week 3. Deebo Samuel’s role is still unclear. He opened the year as a full-time starter but has also steadily lost snaps. Then the team wants Richie James on the field at least a third of the time. What’s more, when these players have been productive the credit should go more to play design than overwhelming talent. Right now I cannot make heads or tails of these receivers and recommend looking elsewhere this week until we know more. Perhaps this week brings us clarity but it seems just as likely that it confounds us yet again.
-Marc Salazar (@dingwog)
Featured Image by Nathan Mills (@NathanMillsPL)
Would you start Brisset over Cousins?
Ertz a Start for the Eagles? Don’t see him either way
Sounds like a salty Falcons fan with that Patriots jab. Word of advice, it doesn’t look good on you to be putting your personal feelings into these columns. It just makes you come off as a homer.
Yeah that hit on Allen wasnt dirty at all. Allens momentum was going foward and could have picked up the first down without the second hit. Also he isnt defenseless if he takes off and runs. Rbs get hit like that all the time.