By The Hudsonian, Joshua Hudson
Transaction: The Cleveland Browns acquire WR Jarvis Landry from the Miami Dolphins
2018 Fantasy Outlook: When the Dolphins slapped the Franchise Tag on Landry prior to the start of free agency, many knew Landry wasn’t long for South Beach. Miami had balked at paying Landry top shelf wide receiver money for the past two years because he plays out of the slot, despite the record-breaking numbers he’s produced to start his career.
In his first four years in the league, Landry has 400 receptions for 4,038 yards and 22 TDs. Essentially, he averages 100 catches, 1,000 yards, and 5.5 TDs a year. For fantasy purposes, that’s roughly 230 points a year, or top 10 production at the position. In fact, from 2014 to 2017, Landry finished as WR32, WR7, WR17, and WR8, respectively. He’s probably the best WR2 candidate in the league and since he’s never missed a game, he’s likely to outperform his draft stock because injuries will inevitably strike those we prognosticators rank above him.
That brings me to the Browns. Calling this franchise a dumpster fire is an insult to dumpster fires. But with a new GM and more cap space than even God would know what to do with, they’re making moves that show they care about turning things around. This was the first of many prior to the new league year. They currently have a top 10 option at WR — when he’s not suspended, that is — in Josh Gordon and former first round pick Corey Coleman as well. Add an elite talent like Landry, and the Browns may actually have something resembling a competent offense. The big question facing Landry is if there are enough balls to keep Landry in the WR2 discussion if Josh Gordon plays like the WR1 we know he is.
Questions about Landry’s productivity can’t really be answered until we know which quarterback will be throwing them the football. With the Browns sending a third round pick to Buffalo to acquire QB Tyrod Taylor, we’ve started to get some clarity for a team that has chewed up and spat out more quarterbacks than any other franchise in recent memory. Taylor never had weapons like Landry and Gordon in Buffalo so I have all the confidence in the world that the top two Cleveland wide receivers should exceed 1,000 yards receiving in this offense, with Landry approaching his usual 100 catches. I can’t believe I’m about to type this: the Browns might actually be a fun offense to watch in 2018.