In this second part of our Browns’ 4-EYED TEAM PREVIEW, we’re going to be covering the Browns’ IDPs that you should consider rostering for the 2021 fantasy football season.
Any holes the Cleveland Browns had on defense coming out of the 2020 NFL season were certainly addressed in free agency and in the 2021 NFL Draft. From adding versatile players at linebacker and defensive back to giving the defensive line an added boost of talent, Cleveland will look to be the total package on defense both in real football and in fantasy.
So with that said, who are the players that are going to help lead you to your fantasy championship from the Cleveland Browns?
Find out now in our 2021 Browns IDP Team Preview.
Defensive Linemen
*Positional designations & ADP data brought to you by Sleeper.
Myles Garrett (Current ADP: DL3)
What more can you really say about a defensive lineman who the past three seasons has tallied the 2nd most sacks (35.5), the 9th most tackles for a loss (33), and the 5th most QB hits (65) amongst all defensive linemen in the NFL during that time span?
The answer: Not much
In IDP123 scoring the past three seasons, Garrett has averaged 15.2 fantasy points per game which is an average that rivals the fantasy output of most EDGE defenders in fantasy football. Remember, EDGE defenders have dual linebacker and defensive lineman eligibility which significantly places the value of true defensive linemen at a disadvantage in fantasy football scoring.
For those looking for an elite “set it and forget it” player at the defensive lineman position, you can’t do much better than Myles Garrett.
Jadeveon Clowney (Current ADP: DL88)
So my immediate thought when the Browns signed Clowney in the offseason was that this signing was going help to directly bump up Myles Garrett’s pass-rushing production. However, my fellow IDP analyst here at Fantasy In Frames, Nate Marcum, has a different take on what Clowney’s presence will mean for this defense. Want to know what his take is?
Listen to our 2021 AFC North Fantasy Preview below to find out!
Linebacker
*Positional designations & ADP data brought to you by Sleeper.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (Current ADP: LB36)
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was FLYING around the field yesterday 🔥
— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 15, 2021
(via @JordanZirm)
pic.twitter.com/48AmYw7fH3
Owusu-Koramoah, the rookie linebacker out of Notre Dame, is by all accounts slated to start next to Anthony Walker if injuries to incumbent linebackers Mack Wilson, Sione Takitaki, and Jacob Phillips continue to persist this preseason, according to The Athletics’ Zac Jackson. Jackson later went on to state in a recent report that Owusu-Koramoah’s athleticism has been off the charts whether he was in coverage or rushing the passer during team practices.
I am of the firm belief that you WILL see Owusu-Koramoah take on a starting role in this linebacking corps starting no later than week 4, and will immediately present the LB2 kind of upside that many were expecting Cardinals linebacker Isaiah Simmons to have during HIS rookie season in 2020. Like Simmons in college, J.O.K could lineup ANYWHERE on defense and make plays all over the field. The difference between the two players, however, is J.O.K is actually SHOWING his game can translate into the pros via practice reports.
Let him fall to you in your IDP fantasy football drafts and be prepared to reap the rewards.
Anthony Walker (Current ADP: LB60)
Coming over in free agency from the Indianapolis Colts, Walker is slated to take on the middle linebacker role this season which should present him with plenty of tackle opportunities given the run-heavy nature of the offenses within the division. Since 2018, Walker is the LB15 among all inside linebackers in total tackles and the ILB13 in solo tackles.
While not a great coverage linebacker, as graded by Pro Football Focus, he is, when given the opportunity, a certified #TackleMachine. Trust me, he will slide down people’s draft boards and might even go undrafted in some leagues. Whether it’s during your draft or on the waiver wire early on into the season pick him up and roster him before someone else adds an LB2 caliber player for cheap.
Defensive Back
*Positional designations & ADP data brought to you by Sleeper.
John Johnson III (Current ADP: DB4)
Another couple from John Johnson III a safety who does it all #Browns pic.twitter.com/9LRkjnLMVY
— Jeff-LJ-Lloyd (@Jeff_LJ_Lloyd) May 20, 2021
Coming over in free agency from the Los Angeles Rams, John Johnson III brings with him a dominating defensive presence to this secondary that they have not had in some time. He ranked 4th in defensive coverage prowess among all safeties in 2020. He was the 4th best safety playing against the run and 3rd best-rated defensive back overall according to Pro Football Focus in 2020. Among all defensive backs over the past three seasons, Johnson ranks 8th overall in total tackles with 275. Whether playing against the pass or playing closer to the line of scrimmage, Johnson can do it all from a real football perspective.
In terms of fantasy output, for two out of the past three seasons, he’s ranked in the top-10 in fantasy points per game scored averaging 15.4 fantasy points per game.
Because he finished outside the top-10 in fantasy points per game average in 2020, some managers MIGHT be sleeping on his upside this year. Don’t be that person. Johnson has DB1 value written all over him. Draft him as such.
