The Cleveland Browns are committed to being a running football team, and Jarvis Landry’s fantasy football upside has taken a hit because of that. The wideout has seen a massive drop in targets, and Odell Beckham Jr. is clearly the priority in the passing game.
Note: Roster percentages from ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues on Thursday, October 8
The Sit: Jarvis Landry
Landry amassed 33 targets in his first four games last season but only has 19 this time around. He’s caught 89.5 percent of the passes thrown his way. He’ll be up against an Indianapolis Colts team that leads the NFL with seven interceptions, so it’s safe to say that Baker Mayfield won’t take too many shots down the field. Cleveland is focused on finding creative ways to get the pigskin in Beckham’s hands and pounding the ground.
The Starts: Zach Pascal (2.7%), Laviska Shenault Jr. (30.8%), Tim Patrick (14.4%)
T.Y. Hilton has fallen by the wayside and Mo Alie-Cox leads the Colts in receiving yards. Parris Campbell is likely done for the year, so Indianapolis doesn’t have much to work with out wide. Pascal hasn’t had a real breakout performance, but he’s played more snaps than Hilton as the No. 2 receiver.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are doing whatever they can to get Shenault involved, and the rookie had his best game of the season against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4. He caught five passes for 86 yards and logged his ninth rushing attempt of the season. His value is boosted by his ability to rack up touches in a way most other wideouts can’t.
The Denver Broncos are short on pass catchers with Courtland Sutton out for the year and K.J. Hamler recovering from a hamstring injury. Noah Fant is doubtful to play in Week 5 because of an ankle tweak, so the passing attack will lean on Jerry Jeudy and Patrick. Patrick leads all Denver wideouts in catches (16) and has played more snaps than Jeudy in every game this year.