Cleveland Browns: 5 Players To Target In Fantasy Football

5 Cleveland Browns To Target In Fantasy Football

After a 5-11 record in 2012, the Cleveland Browns are heading in a different direction. The Browns fired their head coach Pat Shurmer this offseason after just two years with the team. Shurmer had a 9-23 with the Browns so they decided it was time for a change. The Browns hired Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski to replace Shurmer as their head coach.

This will be the 45-year-old Chudzinski's first head coaching job at any level. I think the first-time head coach did a great job surrounding himself with some elite assistant coaches. The Browns new offensive coordinator is Norv Turner who has a lot of experience as an NFL head coach. While Turner has not had a ton of success as a head coach, his experience will be key to Chudzinski. On the defensive side of the ball, the Browns hired Ray Horton, who is considered one of the best defensive minds in the game. All in all, I think it is safe to say that the Browns have a much better coaching staff this season and they should be able to put their players in a position to succeed.

Not only do the Browns have an impressive coaching staff, they have some very talented young players on their roster. The problem with the Browns is that the biggest question mark on the team is the most important position in the game, quarterback. Last season's starter Brandon Weeden will probably get the first crack at the job. Weeden was decent at times last year, but I think it is safe to say that he was disappointing for a rookie that was drafted in the first round. I have heard many people say that Chudzinski's offense should play to the strengths of Weeden more than Shurmer's did. I guess only time will tell with that but Weeden will probably have a short leash because of the two capable veteran back-ups in Jason Campbell and Brian Hoyer.

Whoever ends up taking the snaps for the Browns has a lot of weapons to work with. I think the Browns are a team that is pointing upwards. They have the right coaching staff and talented players on both sides of the ball. When it comes to fantasy football, this team is very interesting. They have explosive players throughout their offense and I think these guys will break out if they can get solid QB play. Weeden and company are a huge key to each of these players but here are five members of the Browns that I am targeting in fantasy drafts.

Daniel is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @D_Schmelzer and add him to your network on Google.

5. Jordan Cameron, TE

Jordan Cameron is a guy that I have been drafting on a ton of my teams. He is usually available in the last couple rounds of a standard draft. Cameron, who is a former college basketball player, has elite athleticism and he uses his great speed and leaping ability very well. At 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds, Cameron has great size to go with his athleticism.

The most exciting thing about Cameron is the new coaching staff with the Browns. Chudzinski has already said that Cameron will be the number-one tight end for the Browns and both him and Turner have had a ton of past success showcasing the position. Greg Olsen had a great season in 2012 under Chudzinski and Turner showcased Antonio Gates in his offense for many years as the head coach of the San Diego Chargers. I will continue to draft Cameron a lot this season and I think he will turn out to be a steal late in fantasy football drafts.

4. Josh Gordon, WR

Josh Gordon is suspended for the first two games of the 2013 season for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy. I think this suspension is making Gordon even more attractive in drafts. Many fantasy owners are not drafting him because of the suspension and I am usually able to draft him around the ninth round or later. Gordon is an explosive big-play wide receiver. In his rookie year in 2012, Gordon had 50 receptions for 805 yards and five touchdowns. He showed great speed and athleticism by beating opposing defensive backs deep. I think Gordon will be a huge part of the Browns' offense when he returns and is a great value pick later in your draft.

3. Greg Little, WR

Greg Little seems to be the forgotten man for the Browns. He has been very productive in his first two seasons and I think that will continue. He does not have the great athleticism of Cameron or Gordon but he is a good athlete and solid receiver. You could certainly do a lot worse than taking a flyer on Little late in your draft.

2. Trent Richardson, RB

Trent Richardson is a beast. His power and speed is some of the most impressive in the league. The Browns made Richardson the focal point of the offense last season and I think this coaching staff will do the same. The injuries are a little bit of a concern with Richardson but I will not hesitate to take him in the first round. Talent and opportunity are the two most important things for fantasy production and Richardson has a ton of both.

1. Cleveland Browns Defense/Special Teams

I am a strong believer in taking your defense and kicker with your last two picks of a fantasy draft. Both positions are extremely hard to pick and I would rather just load up on the offensive positions. The Browns defense is one that I have my eye on this season. The Browns were in the middle of the back in fantasy scoring defenses last season and with Horton leading the defense, I think that Cleveland will be much improved. Joe Haden is one of the best cornerbacks in the league and that helps the defense in many different ways. Rookie Barkevious Mingo and new free-agent signing Paul Kruger should help the Browns' pass rush as they transition to a 3-4. I will be targeting the Browns defense a lot in my fantasy football drafts and I recommend that you do the same.

5 Cleveland Browns To Target In Fantasy Football

After a 5-11 record in 2012, the Cleveland Browns are heading in a different direction. The Browns fired their head coach Pat Shurmer this offseason after just two years with the team. Shurmer had a 9-23 with the Browns so they decided it was time for a change. The Browns hired Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski to replace Shurmer as their head coach.

This will be the 45-year-old Chudzinski's first head coaching job at any level. I think the first-time head coach did a great job surrounding himself with some elite assistant coaches. The Browns new offensive coordinator is Norv Turner who has a lot of experience as an NFL head coach. While Turner has not had a ton of success as a head coach, his experience will be key to Chudzinski. On the defensive side of the ball, the Browns hired Ray Horton, who is considered one of the best defensive minds in the game. All in all, I think it is safe to say that the Browns have a much better coaching staff this season and they should be able to put their players in a position to succeed.

Not only do the Browns have an impressive coaching staff, they have some very talented young players on their roster. The problem with the Browns is that the biggest question mark on the team is the most important position in the game, quarterback. Last season's starter Brandon Weeden will probably get the first crack at the job. Weeden was decent at times last year, but I think it is safe to say that he was disappointing for a rookie that was drafted in the first round. I have heard many people say that Chudzinski's offense should play to the strengths of Weeden more than Shurmer's did. I guess only time will tell with that but Weeden will probably have a short leash because of the two capable veteran back-ups in Jason Campbell and Brian Hoyer.

Whoever ends up taking the snaps for the Browns has a lot of weapons to work with. I think the Browns are a team that is pointing upwards. They have the right coaching staff and talented players on both sides of the ball. When it comes to fantasy football, this team is very interesting. They have explosive players throughout their offense and I think these guys will break out if they can get solid QB play. Weeden and company are a huge key to each of these players but here are five members of the Browns that I am targeting in fantasy drafts.

Daniel is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @D_Schmelzer and add him to your network on Google.

5. Jordan Cameron, TE

Jordan Cameron is a guy that I have been drafting on a ton of my teams. He is usually available in the last couple rounds of a standard draft. Cameron, who is a former college basketball player, has elite athleticism and he uses his great speed and leaping ability very well. At 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds, Cameron has great size to go with his athleticism.

The most exciting thing about Cameron is the new coaching staff with the Browns. Chudzinski has already said that Cameron will be the number-one tight end for the Browns and both him and Turner have had a ton of past success showcasing the position. Greg Olsen had a great season in 2012 under Chudzinski and Turner showcased Antonio Gates in his offense for many years as the head coach of the San Diego Chargers. I will continue to draft Cameron a lot this season and I think he will turn out to be a steal late in fantasy football drafts.

4. Josh Gordon, WR

Josh Gordon is suspended for the first two games of the 2013 season for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy. I think this suspension is making Gordon even more attractive in drafts. Many fantasy owners are not drafting him because of the suspension and I am usually able to draft him around the ninth round or later. Gordon is an explosive big-play wide receiver. In his rookie year in 2012, Gordon had 50 receptions for 805 yards and five touchdowns. He showed great speed and athleticism by beating opposing defensive backs deep. I think Gordon will be a huge part of the Browns' offense when he returns and is a great value pick later in your draft.

3. Greg Little, WR

Greg Little seems to be the forgotten man for the Browns. He has been very productive in his first two seasons and I think that will continue. He does not have the great athleticism of Cameron or Gordon but he is a good athlete and solid receiver. You could certainly do a lot worse than taking a flyer on Little late in your draft.

2. Trent Richardson, RB

Trent Richardson is a beast. His power and speed is some of the most impressive in the league. The Browns made Richardson the focal point of the offense last season and I think this coaching staff will do the same. The injuries are a little bit of a concern with Richardson but I will not hesitate to take him in the first round. Talent and opportunity are the two most important things for fantasy production and Richardson has a ton of both.

1. Cleveland Browns Defense/Special Teams

I am a strong believer in taking your defense and kicker with your last two picks of a fantasy draft. Both positions are extremely hard to pick and I would rather just load up on the offensive positions. The Browns defense is one that I have my eye on this season. The Browns were in the middle of the back in fantasy scoring defenses last season and with Horton leading the defense, I think that Cleveland will be much improved. Joe Haden is one of the best cornerbacks in the league and that helps the defense in many different ways. Rookie Barkevious Mingo and new free-agent signing Paul Kruger should help the Browns' pass rush as they transition to a 3-4. I will be targeting the Browns defense a lot in my fantasy football drafts and I recommend that you do the same.