Week 16 at Miami Dolphins
In the last-second loss to the Redskins last week Cody Kessler and the Jaguars offense again had trouble moving the ball. Kessler finished with just 57 yards through the air on only nine completions and was also sacked six times. But it wasn’t a completely ugly performance, as he led the team with 68 rushing yards on six attempts. The Dolphins are allowing nearly 260 passing yards per game but there has to be better options than Kessler.
Week 15 vs. Washington Redskins
In the loss to the Titans last Thursday, Cody Kessler threw a lot more passes than the game plan called for after the Jags fell behind by multiple scores. He finished throwing for 240 yards and a TD on 43 attempts and ran for 17 yards. Even with Leonard Fournette back, the ground game was only able to amass 60 yards. Back at home on Sunday versus a suspect Redskins pass defense, Kessler remains a QB2 option.
Week 14 at Tennessee Titans
The Jaguars ended their seven-game losing streak last Sunday versus the Colts, but it was the defense and not Cody Kessler who deserves credit. In his first start of the season, the game plan for the QB was very conservative, as he completed 75 percent of his passes, but for just 150 yards and 6.3 yards per attempt. Kessler was the game manager, finishing without a TDs, and, more importantly, an INT. In Week 3 versus the Titans, Blake Bortles threw for just 155 yards. With Leonard Fournette back, expect another low yardage total from Kessler.
Week 13 vs. Indianapolis Colts
Cody Kessler will be making his first start of the season due to Blake Bortles being benched after the Jaguars seventh straight loss at Buffalo last week. Kessler saw action in Week 7 when he took over for Bortles and went 21-of-30 for 156 yards with one TD and one INT. He was also sacked four times in a quarter-and-a-half. At Indianapolis earlier this month, Bortles threw for 320 yards and two TDs, but Jacksonville’s comeback effort fell short. However, Kessler has a new play caller this week and should only be started if you’re out of other options.
Player Upside
Cody Kessler had some trouble staying on the field last season, but he showed promise in the games he did play in. He limited his mistakes, throwing just two interceptions in eight starts, and was accurate with the ball, completing 65 percent of his passes.
His best performance came against the Titans, throwing for 336 yards and two touchdowns. He was put in some tough positions as a rookie, but he’s had a full year of development to improve.
Player Downside
Kessler didn’t have a lot to work with last season, and he doesn’t have much this year, either. The Browns let Terrelle Pryor go but brought in Kenny Britt. The former Titans Rams wide receiver amazingly went over 1,000 yards last year, but there’s a reason he’s now a Brown.
There’s also a chance Kessler doesn’t keep this job for long. The Browns drafted DeShone Kizer in the second round and there’s a chance the rookie gets to play in 2017.
2017 Bottom Line
Not only is Kessler a poor option in a not-so-great offense, but he doesn’t even have stability as a starter. It’s hard to see much upside in Kessler this season. It’s best to avoid him in fantasy unless he miraculously becomes a viable option.
Week 11 vs. Pittsburgh
Cody Kessler only threw for 91 yards last week, as he oddly split playing time with Josh McCown, despite playing better than the veteran. We expect Kessler to start and play the whole game, but it's the Browns, so who really knows?
He gets a decent matchup this week against the Steelers, but we're still not super confident in him (perhaps because the Browns don't seem confident in him). There's a chance he has a decent game, but there are much better options out there in free agency. Kessler is a poor play.
Week 10 at Baltimore
Cody Kessler wasn't terrible last week (203 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT), but he hasn't proven to be a great fantasy quarterback so far. He had one monster game against the Titans (336 yards, 2 TD), but has been unreliable overall.
He won't get a great matchup this week against the Ravens. Baltimore has held most quarterbacks in check all season long, and should have no trouble with the rookie QB.
Kessler should be viewed as a poor quarterback choice in Week 10.
Week 9 vs. Dallas
Even though Josh McCown made the Browns look like a competent offense last week, the team appears to be prepping rookie Cody Kessler for the start in Week 9. Kessler was just cleared from a concussion on Monday, and has been practicing since Wednesday.
Kessler will get a decent matchup against the Cowboys this week. Dallas isn't the easiest defense to pass against, but with enough attempts, the rookie can make a few plays. He'll get Corey Coleman back this week to help give the O a boost.
Kessler isn't an ideal play, even with many quarterbacks on bye.
Week 7 vs. Cincinnati
Cody Kessler defied the odds last week and actually had a solid performance. The Browns QB threw for 336 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He'll look to continue that impressive streak this week in a favorable matchup against the Bengals.
But, while the matchup against Cincinnati is a good one for Kessler, there are still plenty of reasons to be cautious with the Browns QB. He's still a rookie in a bad offense, and he could be without his only real receiving threat Terrelle Pryor.
Kessler should be viewed as a poor option at the QB position this week.
Cody Kessler - Week 6 vs. Tennessee
Cody Kessler is battling through an injury, but he's expected to get the start for Cleveland this week. The rookie QB hasn't done a whole lot in his starts this season to inspire confidence in his fantasy production.
On top of him being a bad option overall, Kessler gets a brutal matchup against the Titans this week. Tennessee has held QBs to under 300 yards in every game and has allowed just five touchdowns through five games. Kessler is about as bad an option as you can have this week.
