Week 7 at Miami Dolphins
Well, the 354 passing yards look pretty good for Josh McCown, although the 2 interceptions last week against New England tampers down the excitement a bit. Still, the veteran QB has been effective in 2017 and doesn't look like he will lose his job anytime soon.
McCown is still working his way into anyone's fantasy starting lineup at this point. He will face an average Dolphins pass defense in Week 7 and should remain on your bench on the road at Miami on Sunday.
Week 6 vs. New England Patriots
The Jets continue to win. Although Josh McCown is not putting up any crazy numbers, he is solidifying his standing as the No. 1 Jets quarterback. Against the Browns, he threw 2 touchdown passes and completed 77% of his passes. Again, his numbers aren't making any fantasy owners run out and get him, but he could serve as depth the rest of the season.
He has a chance to have another decent game against a New England defense ranked 29th in aFPA to quarterbacks. Couple this with the way he has been playing and he actually is a solid QB2 for Week 6.
Week 5 at Cleveland Browns
It hasn't been pretty for Josh McCown, but it also has not been nearly as ugly as most people thought it would be. The Jets are using him to his strengths with at low-risk throws that have allowed him to complete 70% of his passes. That low-risk strategy doesn't allow him to accumulate significant fantasy numbers. Last week, he threw zero touchdowns and one interception.
It will be a little easier against the Browns defense that ranks last in aFPA to quarterbacks. But that's not enough to elevate McCown's fantasy value to the point where he should be considered to play in Week 7. Keep him on the waiver wire.
Week 4 vs Jacksonville Jaguars
Well, how about that. The Jets win and Josh McCown actually looked okay. You will probably get some games from him like that. He completed 78% of his passes for 249 yards and a touchdown. More important, he didn't throw an interception for the second straight game.
The Jets will face a very good Jacksonville defense this Sunday so even though the game is at home, it will be tougher sledding for McCown. Remember, this is still the Jets and the offense overall is still pretty bad. Keep McCown on the waiver wire and out of any lineups for Week 4.
Week 3 vs. Miami Dolphins
The Jets have been conservative with their offensive approach using Josh McCown in a short passing game. He has completed two-thirds of his passes but for only 353 total yards. He has thrown 2 touchdowns to go along with 2 interceptions. Overall, the Jets offense isn't very good, so even though McCown has not been a train wreck, we don't expect much from him.
The Jets will face a below-average Miami defense, but that shouldn't help McCown very much. He ranks as one of the lowest-rated quarterbacks in Week 3 and definitely should remain on the bench if he is even on your roster.
Week 2 at Oakland Raiders
When you see a 67% completion rate for Josh McCown against Buffalo, you probably raise an eyebrow. But the rest of the numbers came in as expected with only 187 yards passing, zero touchdowns and two interceptions.
Another road game for the Jets and the offense might be the worst in the NFL. McCown just doesn't have many weapons in the passing game and he never has lit it up in the NFL on a consistent basis.
He isn't the worst play this week but close. Really, he shouldn't even be on your roster unless it is a deep, deep league.
Week 1 at Buffalo Bills
It looks like Josh McCown is the man for now, but how much can he do with a lineup that lost its three top receivers from 2016? Even with a very good matchup against a Bills defense that was 28th in aFPA to quarterbacks last season, don't expect McCown to take advantage of the opportunity.
The lack of playmakers brings McCown's rating down. We know he has had some success on the NFL level, but the odds are against him this season of accomplishing much. McCown is the lowest ranked fantasy QB for Week 1 and should be nowhere near your lineup, or roster for that matter.
Fantasy Upside
The New York Jets have given the keys of their offense to journeyman Josh McCown, at least to start the season. McCown has had some success in the NFL and actually put up his best numbers when he played for new Jets offensive coordinator Marc Trestman. He posted a 13-to-1 TD-to-INT ratio and averaged 8.2 YPA, a career high. Being a veteran definitely helps McCown because the two young quarterbacks behind him have very little NFL experience. The Jets are likely to stick with McCown unless he is a total bust.
Fantasy Downside
McCown is a journeyman for a reason. He has 60 career starts over an up-and-down career that has spanned 14 NFL seasons. The Jets don't have a lot around him. They lost their top two receivers and the offensive line is average at best. It's going to be an offense that struggles. Also, if the Jets start the season with more losses than wins, they might throw in the towel and give one of the younger QBs a chance to see what they can do.
2017 Bottom Line
McCown is unsurprisingly going undrafted in half of fantasy leagues. We have him ranked at QB29, which means he really only has value as a QB3 and can probably only help owners in leagues with deep rosters. With the Jets offense expected to be in the bottom-half of the league, and McCown's job security limited, he isn't a good fantasy option to start the 2017 season.
Week 12 vs. New York Giants
The Browns constant rotation at quarterback lands on Josh McCown this week. The veteran QB has had some decent games when given the opportunity, but we're not expecting that this week in a tough matchup against the Giants.
New York has only allowed two multi-touchdown games to quarterbacks this season and have held them out of the end zone three times. McCown is a poor choice most weeks, but he'll especially be a bad option against the Giants in Week 12.
Week 8 vs. New York Jets
Josh McCown is expected to return to the lineup this week, which means he'll probably be hurt again by the third quarter. The Browns carousel of quarterbacks has caused problems for their offense all season long, en route to a winless season.
Although McCown may be the best option for this team moving forward, there's not much to like about him. He does have a great matchup against the Jets, a defense that's allowed 300+ passing yards in four games this season, but this offense simply isn't good.
McCown will likely be a poor option this week.
