Like Kate Gosselin and anyone associated with the Kardashians, Josh McCown probably should have faded away quite some time ago, but he is still hanging around thanks to a glorious, short stint with the Chicago Bears in 2013. Impressed by his performance in the Windy City, Tampa Bay signed McCown to be their starter last year. The results were way more in line with McCown’s career numbers, as he threw for 11 touchdowns in 11 games and tossed 14 interceptions. He also lost four fumbles. With Jameis Winston coming to Tampa, the Buccaneers saw no reason to keep McCown around, and he landed with the Browns. Could Tampa Bay’s trash somehow turn into Cleveland’s treasure?
2015 Upside
The Browns saw enough in McCown to let Brian Hoyer, the only quarterback in the history of the “new” Browns with a winning record as a starter, leave without any kind of fight. Josh will provide Cleveland with many of the same intangibles Hoyer did. Cleveland’s offensive line should be fortified by the return of center Alex Mack from a broken fibula and the arrival of rookie Cameron Erving, who the Browns selected in the first round of April’s draft. McCown previously worked with new Browns offensive coordinator John DeFilippo in Oakland. While Johnny “Football” Manziel, McCown’s primary competition for the starting job, spent the offseason perfecting a goody-goody act and worked hard to put an end to his boozin’ and usin’, Manziel still looks lost on the field and has a long way to go before challenging for the starting job McCown currently holds. Cleveland brought in some reinforcements at receiver.
2015 Downside
When the reinforcements are named Dwayne Bowe, Brian Hartline, Vince Mayle, and Rob Housler, it is hard to get excited about McCown’s supporting cast. Slot receiver Andrew Hawkins is decent and young Taylor Gabriel shows promise, but this group will not help carry McCown to fantasy greatness. During his hot streak in Chicago, his output was heavily bolstered by throwing to top wide receivers such as Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffrey, not to mention ace pass catching back Matt Forte and solid tight end Martellus Bennett. Cleveland is going to have one of the NFL’s most conservative offenses. The Browns have a rough schedule, as all three of their AFC North rivals made the playoffs last year. They also have to play squads such as the Jets, Denver, St. Louis, Arizona, Kansas City, and Seattle. When Cleveland inevitably falls out of contention, the Browns may want to get another look at Manziel.
Bottom Line
Even in mandatory two-quarterback leagues, McCown has nothing to offer. However, if you play daily fantasy football, you can almost always pick up whatever defense is starting against the Browns and have a good chance at racking up points. The same principle applies for anyone who uses defense by committee in other formats.