What to do with Marvin Hall and others with Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins to COVID IR in Week 16

The Cleveland Browns passing game has been firing on all cylinders for close to two months. Powered by quarterback Baker Mayfield, it’s also translated into solid fantasy football production numbers from the team’s top two wide receivers, Jarvis Landry and Rashard Higgins.

Things have taken a turn however in Week 16. The Browns placed Landry and Higgings, as well as Donovan Peoples-Jones and KhaDarel Hodge on the COVID-19 injured reserve list the day before their Week 16 contest against the New York Jets. The Browns promoted Ja’Marcus Bradley and Derrick Willies from the practice squad to provide some depth.

Fantasy Football analysis: Browns WRs Marvin Hall, Ja’Marcus Bradley, Derrick Willies

We can get Bradley and Willies out of the way first. Bradley is an undrafted rookie who has appeared in two games with no catches. Willies entered the NFL in 2018 and caught three passes in five games in 2018. The only reason to roster either player is if you’re in a massive dynasty league that requires starting an absurd amount of receivers. So no, you won’t be adding either of these receivers.

Hall joined the Browns when the team claimed him off waivers from Detroit. This will mark his first playing time in Cleveland. In his final five games in Detroit, he caught 14 passes for 234 yards and a touchdown. He had four receptions for 113 yards in Week 8, so he can clearly produce here and there.

We can probably expect Baker Mayfield to focus on his tight ends and running backs more than Hall, but you could probably do worse than Hall given the lack of quality receivers on the depth chart.

Fantasy Start/Sit Recommendation

Hall is the only option worth considering, and even then, it’s only for 14+ team leagues with a need for a fourth wide receiver.