Week 7 vs. Cincinnati
After a strong start to the season, Isaiah Crowell has really struggled these last two weeks. He's had a combined 22 carries for 38 yards (1.7 ypc) in those two games, adding just three receptions.
He'll try to turn things around this week in a favorable matchup against the Bengals. Cincy has struggled against RBs in back-to-back weeks, and could allow another big day to Crowell.
At one point this season it appeared as if Crowell was trending towards RB1 territory, but with his recent disappointing efforts, he's only an RB2 play in Week 7.
Isaiah Crowell - Week 6 vs. Tennessee
After a dominating start, Isaiah Crowell struggled mightily last week. He carried the ball 11 times and only came away with 22 yards (1.7 ypc) as the Browns were losing in a blowout.
Crowell has a better chance at production this week as he faces a Titans defense that's allowed 100+ rushing yards to backs in all but two games this season. It's not a great matchup, but the game should be closer, meaning Crowell won't be limited like he was against New England.
The Browns back should be viewed as a strong RB2 play this week.
Week 5 vs. Indianapolis
Isaiah Crowell has been dominating through the first four weeks of the season. He's second in rushing yards, but most impressively, he's popping off 6.5 yards per carry. The Browns back now has at least 75 total yards in every game, and has scored a touchdown in three out of four weeks.
Crowell will get a decent matchup this week against the Patriots, but we fear a bit for how many touches he'll get. He's been pretty much a non-factor in the passing game, and this is a matchup that could get out of hand with Tom Brady returning and putting up points on the other side.
If the Browns find themselves in pass-heavy mode, expect Duke Johnson to get more looks out of the backfield. Still, it's hard to move on from Crowell considering what he's done so far. He should be viewed as a strong RB2.
Week 4 at Washington
Surprise, surprise. Isaiah Crowell is second in the NFL in rushing yards (274). Through the first two games, Crowell was easily the primary ball carrier, but Duke Johnson received some more carries in Week 3. Crowell is still going to get more carries than Johnson, and considering his production, you shouldn't worry about him losing touches.
Crowell should have success in Week 4, as he faces a Redskins defense that has been favorable to running backs this season. Washington has allowed seven rushing TDs (highest in the league) and allowing over 120 yards on the ground per game.
The Browns offense, and the semi-timeshare with Johnson knocks him down a bit, but Crowell should be viewed as an RB2 in a favorable matchup.
Week 3 at Miami
Isaiah Crowell's final numbers last week were impressive - 133 yards and a touchdown - but the bulk of his stats came on an 85-yard run. If you take that out, Crowell had 17 carries for 48 yards (2.8 ypc), which isn't all that great.
The good news, however, is Crowell had many more touches than Duke Johnson. At the beginning of the season we believed it'd be closer to 50-50, but through two games, Crowell has been the better of the two backs.
Crowell will draw a good matchup against the Dolphins, a defense that has allowed 245 rushing yards to backs through two games. Plus, the Browns will be looking to their running game instead of their third-string quarterback, and third-string receivers.
Week 2 vs. Baltimore
Isaiah Crowell was easily the team's main ball carrier last week, finishing with 12 rushes for 62 yards and a touchdown. His backfield teammate, Duke Johnson, had just three carries. The final snap count numbers ended with Crowell 33, Johnson 26 (out of 55).
He'll go up against a Ravens defense that played well last week, holding Buffalo's rushers to 2.8 yards per carry. Crowell should get the majority of the carries on the ground, but they may not amount to many yards.
We view Crowell as a RB3/flex play in Week 2.
Week 1 at Philadelphia
Isaiah Crowell is the Browns official starter, but he'll be sharing time with Duke Johnson in the backfield. Crowell said his goal this season was to rush for 1,000 yards, and coach Hue Jackson was surprised he wasn't aiming for more. Those comments seem to indicate Crowell will get plenty of carries on the ground.
During passing situations, however, Johnson will likely be the back to benefit. That's how it played out last season, and we wouldn't expect anything different in 2016.
Crowell gets a nice matchup in Week 1, but because of his shared carries, his production will be limited. He should be viewed as a low-end RB2, or flex play this week.
Fantasy Upside
Isaiah Crowell is listed as the Browns starting running back and is projected to receive the bulk of the carries. He started to play well near the end of last season after a coordinator switch, rushing for 309 yards in his final four games, compared to 397 in his first 12.
The team now has brought along coach Hue Jackson, who has a run-first approach that works well for Crowell. Jackson agrees Crowell was underutilized in the first half of last season, and expects good things from his back in 2016.
Fantasy Downside
Crowell will start and get around 200-plus touches, but he will be sharing the backfield with Duke Johnson. Think of Crowell and Johnson as Giovani Bernard and Jeremy Hill, the previous backs coached by Jackson. Johnson will take away pretty much all of Crowell's possible contributions to the passing game.
Crowell has also had some off-field issues, including being kicked out of Georgia, and posting a controversial image on social media this offseason. He's not in trouble right now, but you never know when he could have another possible misstep that impacts his on-field performance.
Bottom Line
Crowell is due to have a strong season, but his ceiling is capped by having to share with Johnson. He's more likely to get touchdowns out of the backfield duo, which places him just on the outskirts of being a RB2 in 2016.
Week 17 vs Pittsburgh
Prince partied like it was 1999, and in Week 16 Isaiah Crowell partied like it was Week 14. That was the week Crowell rushed for 145 yards and two touchdowns in what was both a rare win for the Browns and rare big day for Crowell. Cleveland was unable to emerge victorious in Week 16 on the road in Kansas City, but Isaiah pulled another rabbit out of his hat by rushing for 88 yards and a score.
With two nice games in three weeks, should we start believing in Crowell? Probably not, since Pittsburgh has allowed the second-fewest rushing touchdowns in the NFL. The Steelers are also fighting for their playoff lives and held Crowell to -5 yards rushing when Cleveland traveled to the Steel City back in Week 10. Plus, Crowell still is not the kind of player who inspires much confidence. You need to cast your lot with a different flex candidate.
Week 16 at Kansas City
After a huge game in Week 14, Isaiah Crowell returned to his primary residence on Planet Mediocrity last Sunday against Seattle, rushing for 23 yards on nine carries. Truth be told, saying Crowell is mediocre is being kind, as he has been flat out terrible in many games in 2015.
And the odds of him being terrible again this week are pretty good. Kansas City has one of the NFL’s best run defenses, as the Chiefs have allowed just six rushing touchdowns and hold opponents under 100 yards per game. Anyone who has serious designs on taking home a championship trophy needs to stay far away from Crowell.
