Fantasy: 2019 Projections - Mayfield, Beckham a perfect pairing for Browns?

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With training camps approaching, theScore's Justin Boone is releasing his offensive projections for all 32 teams, including his thoughts on every fantasy-relevant player.

Projections are based on the following point values in PPR leagues:

• Passing Yards: 1 point per 25 yards
• Passing TDs: 4 points
• Interceptions: -2 points
• Rushing Yards: 1 point per 10 yards
• Rushing TDs: 6 points
• Receptions: 1 point
• Receiving Yards: 1 point per 10 yards
• Receiving TDs: 6 points
• Fumbles Lost: -2 points
• Two-point Conversions: 2 points

2019 Fantasy Projections

AFC East
NE | BUF | NYJ | MIA
NFC West
LAR | SF | SEA | ARI
AFC North
BAL | CIN | PIT | CLE
NFC South
ATL | NO | CAR | TB

Cleveland BrownsBaker Mayfield, QB

Fantasy Points	301.38
Attempts	564
Completions	361
Pass Yards	4407
Pass TDs	34
INTs	14
Carries	42
Rush Yards	151
Rush TDs	1
Fumbles Lost	3
2PT	1

Mayfield was a top-10 fantasy quarterback after Freddie Kitchens assumed control of the offense, and that was without Odell Beckham Jr. catching passes. He'll challenge for a spot in the top five while playing in one of the league's most exciting attacks as a sophomore.

Quarterback depth: The Browns have all of their chips on Mayfield. His likely backup, Drew Stanton, struggled in past starting stints and didn't inspire much confidence with his preseason performance a year ago. Let's hope Baker stays on the field for all 16 games.

Nick Chubb, RB

Fantasy Points	271.4
Carries	263
Rush Yards	1256
Rush TDs	10
Fumbles Lost	0
Targets	62
Receptions	39
Rec. Yards	268
Rec. TDs	3
2PT	1

Cleveland's decision to sit Chubb behind Carlos Hyde proved to be foolish. The rookie instantly emerged as a game-breaking ball-carrier after the veteran was traded, as Chubb had six games with at least 80 rushing yards in the second half of the season and finished with eight touchdowns. He accomplished the feat while facing eight or more defenders in the box at the fourth-highest rate in the NFL, according to Next Gen Stats. Mayfield's development and Beckham's arrival should back defenses off the line of scrimmage and allow Chubb to eat.

Running back depth: The concern surrounding Kareem Hunt's impact on Chubb's fantasy value has been overblown. Hunt won't be available until Week 10, due to his eight-game suspension and the Browns' bye week. Chubb will have solidified himself as a star in Cleveland's backfield by that point - if last season's performance didn't already do so. That makes Hunt a late-season handcuff in the event of a Chubb injury, nothing more. Normally, Duke Johnson would have a role, but he was barely used down the stretch once Chubb took over as the starter and his recent trade demands mean there's no guarantee he'll even be on the roster to start the regular season. Dontrell Hilliard is a very deep stash who could end up being the early-season backup.

Odell Beckham Jr., WR

Fantasy Points	310.4
Targets	154
Receptions	97
Rec. Yards	1436
Rec. TDs	11
Carries	2
Rush Yards	18
Rush TDs	0
Fumbles Lost	0
2PT	0

Beckham played in only 12 games last season and still finished as a top-15 fantasy receiver. Though his 28 percent target share might not be replicated in Cleveland, the upgrade at quarterback gives OBJ a chance to rise to yet another level of elite play. Heightened efficiency and scoring opportunities could vault him over DeAndre Hopkins and Davante Adams as fantasy's No. 1 wideout.

Jarvis Landry, WR

Fantasy Points	188.8
Targets	106
Receptions	77
Rec. Yards	809
Rec. TDs	5
Carries	4
Rush Yards	29
Rush TDs	0
Fumbles Lost	1
2PT	0

The outlook for Landry isn't quite as rosy, aside from the fact that he'll once again be suiting up with his college teammate. The Browns miscast Landry last season as a No. 1 receiver and his 26 percent target share is certain to fall with Beckham's arrival. If you're searching for positives, Beckham's presence will draw away tough coverage and help Landry improve on his career-low 54.4 percent catch rate from 2018. He'll be a low-ceiling WR3 in fantasy, not the type of player you should be reaching for on draft day.

Antonio Callaway, WR

Fantasy Points	92.2
Targets	63
Receptions	34
Rec. Yards	482
Rec. TDs	2
Carries	0
Rush Yards	0
Rush TDs	0
Fumbles Lost	1
2PT	0

If it weren't for Beckham joining the party, Callaway may have been a breakout candidate in 2019. He overcame some early-season rookie mistakes to finish strong with 50 yards and/or a touchdown in six of the final nine contests. Behind Beckham and Landry, Callaway will be asked to serve as a field-stretcher, making him a DFS play and best-ball option only.

Receiver depth: Rashard Higgins would be the next man up in Cleveland if injuries were to sideline one of the starters. He isn't worth drafting, but keep him in mind as a potential in-season addition.

David Njoku, TE

Fantasy Points	146.6
Targets	83
Receptions	54
Rec. Yards	626
Rec. TDs	5
Carries	0
Rush Yards	0
Rush TDs	0
Fumbles Lost	0
2PT	0

In New York, Evan Engram's fantasy success was almost directly linked to whether Beckham was in the lineup or not. He eclipsed 75 yards in four of his 11 games, which coincided with the weeks Beckham wasn't on the field. Njoku has similar promise as a young tight end on the verge of a breakout, but his upside might be capped in a more crowded pass-catching corps. For Njoku to reach his fantasy ceiling and crack the upper half of the TE1 group, he'll need to do better than the five touchdowns we have him projected for.

Tight end depth: Demetrius Harris seemed destined to sign on as a team's starter in free agency but elected to become a member of the Browns instead. Now, he'll compete with Seth DeValve to be Njoku's backup.

2019 Fantasy Projections

AFC East
NE | BUF | NYJ | MIA
NFC West
LAR | SF | SEA | ARI
AFC North
BAL | CIN | PIT | CLE
NFC South
ATL | NO | CAR | TB

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