Josh McCown is back under center for the Cleveland Browns after the team announced a change at quarterback Tuesday afternoon, and the fantasy stock of primary receiving options Gary Barnidge and Travis Benjamin is set to fluctuate as a result of the quick switch.
So with Johnny Manziel‘s brief stint as starter officially over, here’s a look at how fantasy owners should value Barnidge and Benjamin in advance of Cleveland’s Monday Night Football showdown with the Baltimore Ravens.
Gary Barnidge
McCown’s return is a welcome sight for Barnidge. Arguably the only Browns player worth starting week-to-week, Cleveland’s tight end scored in just one of Manziel’s three starts.
Against the Tennessee Titans, Barnidge managed one catch for 17 yards. Weeks later against the Cincinnati Bengals, the breakout star posted just two catches for 35 yards. And while Barnidge did haul in six catches for 65 yards and a score against the Pittsburgh Steelers prior to Cleveland’s Week 11 bye, McCown fed him with far more regularity starting in Week 3.
As those numbers indicate, McCown targets Barnidge consistently because of Cleveland’s dearth of talent on the outside.
With Benjamin functioning more as a deep threat and Barnidge carving out work on short and intermediate routes, McCown should direct plenty of passes the 30-year-old’s way against a Baltimore defense that ranks 24th against the pass.
Based on season-long trends, Barnidge is a must-start every week at fantasy’s thinnest position.
Travis Benjamin
Benjamin’s stock has dropped steadily since he scored four touchdowns in Cleveland’s first three games—two of which came with Manziel under center against the Tennessee Titans.
So although Benjamin was an intriguing flex play during a torrid start, it would be risky to start him considering he has topped 100 yards just twice since hitting paydirt against the Oakland Raiders in Week 3.
And since one of those 100-yard outings came last week with Manziel at the controls, giving Benjamin a go with McCown back under center carries a certain amount of risk.
It wouldn’t be surprising if the Browns’ No. 1 receiver put up solid numbers against one of the league’s shakiest secondaries this week, but it’s safe to say such production would be the exception, not the rule.
With the Cincinnati Bengals, Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs all on the Browns’ upcoming schedule, owners shouldn’t trust Benjamin as anything more than a bench stash with upside as the fantasy playoffs get underway.
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