Week 3 vs. New York Jets
Tyrod Taylor was fine in his Week 2 game, completing 22-of-30 passes for 246 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He also added 26 yards on the ground. Taylor hasn't been too impressive in his two games with the Browns, throwing one touchdown and one interception in each game.
He gets a fairly tough opponent this week in the Jets, who have allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points so far this season. Of course, two games is a small sample size, but it's enough for us to get an idea of what we can likely expect. Taylor isn't a great option this week and should be seen as a middle-of-the-pack quarterback.
Week 2 at New Orleans Saints
Tyrod Taylor didn't get off to a great start in his Browns career. Usually an accurate QB, Taylor completed just 15-of-40 passes for 197 yards (and an interception). He did finish with two touchdowns (one passing, one rushing) and did some damage on the ground with 77 yards, so it wasn't all bad.
He faces a Saints defense that was shredded in Week 1 for 417 yards. The Saints' defense was expected to be a good defense heading into the year. If Taylor can keep up his rushing numbers while improving slightly on his passing stats, he should be in a good position this week. We like him as a solid QB1 play vs. New Orleans.
Week 1 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Tyrod Taylor signed with Cleveland this offseason after some successful years in Buffalo. Taylor was never the type to put up gaudy numbers, but he rarely makes a mistake. And he adds value as a rushing quarterback.
He's settled into a nice situation with the Browns, having weapons like Jarvis Landry and Josh Gordon around him. He doesn't get a great matchup this week, but we expect Taylor to be just fine. He won't be an elite option, but he's a nice middle-of-the-road QB if you need a spot-starter.
Fantasy Upside
Tyrod Taylor is in line to start the season for the Browns, who have high hopes. Cleveland has a solid group of wideouts that includes Josh Gordon, free agent pickup Jarvis Landry, and former first-round pick Corey Coleman. Cleveland also improved its backfield, signing Carlos Hyde and drafting Nick Chubb.
Taylor joins Cleveland after a productive three-year stay in Buffalo where he had 65 total touchdowns (51 passing, 14 rushing) with just 21 turnovers (16 interceptions, 5 fumbles) in 44 games. He’s an accurate passer, who adds plenty on the ground, averaging 525 rushing yards per season in Buffalo.
Fantasy Downside
Although this isn’t fair to Taylor, Cleveland has typically been a place where quarterbacks go to die. It’s been a while since there’s been a reliable QB for the Browns, and although this doesn’t really reflect on Taylor in 2018, it’s hard to ignore.
Having said that, there are some reasons to be skeptical of Taylor this season. For starters, there’s always the threat of Cleveland wanting to turn to its No. 1 overall draft pick, Baker Mayfield. Also, while Taylor has been a serviceable fantasy option in the past, he’s not really an elite option who will put up big numbers. In his three seasons with Buffalo, he had just one 300-yard passing game.
2018 Bottom Line
Taylor likely won’t be a QB you draft to become your full-season starter. If you’re looking to stream quarterbacks, then Taylor would be a great late-round option. He’s surrounded with more talent in Cleveland than he ever had in Buffalo, so he could end up being a sneaky option in 2018.
Wild Card Round at Jacksonville Jaguars
Tyrod Taylor has gone three games without throwing an interception, but still has only been responsible for 3 touchdowns during that span (2 passing, 1 rushing). That has been his M.O. most of the season. He has played responsible football without glamor stats.
Taylor has the worst matchup of all the quarterbacks playing Wild Card weekend, facing a Jaguars defense ranked seventh in aFPA to quarterbacks. We don't expect much from him this week and he is ranked as our worst fantasy quarterback.
Week 17 at Miami Dolphins
Tyrod Taylor threw for 281 yards last week, but he has thrown only 1 touchdown pass in the past three games. He has had his moments this season, but overall, his inability to create touchdowns has been his biggest flaw as a fantasy quarterback.
He will face the Dolphins, who are 24th in aFPA to quarterbacks, for the second time in the last three weeks. He did throw and run for a touchdown in their previous meeting. With expected good weather in Miami, we think Taylor is going to be a factor in Week 17. Start him as a solid QB1 for Week17.
Week 16 at New England Patriots
Tyrod Taylor produced 224 yards passing and a touchdown last week in a win over Miami. He also rushed for 42 yards and another touchdown. The performance wasn't anything eye-opening from a fantasy standpoint, but it was a solid NFL performance we've become accustomed to from Taylor this season.
Taylor gets ready to face the New England Patriots this week, who are ranked 10th in aFPA to quarterbacks. In the first meeting with the Pats, Taylor was injured and only threw for 65 yards and an interception. He gets a second chance at New England on Sunday, but the prospects aren't good to put up significant fantasy numbers. Keep Taylor on the bench as a QB2 for Week 16.
Week 15 vs. Miami Dolphins
Tyrod Taylor has not put up any significant fantasy numbers since Week 9. A benching and injuries have made it tough for him to get any consistency. He is currently struggling with a knee injury that kept him out last week and there is no guarantee he will play this week.
It is a favorable matchup for the Bills against Miami this week, who is ranked 22nd in aFPA to quarterbacks. But because of the struggles and because he isn't 100% healthy, Taylor only ranks as a QB2 for Week 15. Keep him on the bench.
Week 13 vs. New England Patriots
Back as the starter, Tyrod Taylor put up numbers he was recording before his temporary benching that lasted a half. While not great fantasy numbers, he has kept the interceptions off the scoresheet (only 3 this season). Taylor was only responsible for one touchdown so it wasn't a great week, but it at least gives him a future the last part of the season.
Taylor will face New England this week, who is ranked 19th in aFPA to quarterbacks. He did nothing special last season against the Pats but that was a better New England defense.
Start Taylor as a low-end QB1 for Week 12. He should have a good day at home.
Week 12 at Kansas City Chiefs
Tyrod Taylor's benching lasted one half and because Nathan Peterman's performance was so bad, it probably will keep Taylor in the starting lineup for the rest of the season. In the second half, Taylor threw for 158 yards and touchdown without an interception. It was surprising coach Sean McDermott made the QB move in the first place because the Bills are alive in the playoffs. The veteran should be the guy as long as Buffalo is still in the hunt.
Taylor will face KC on the road who is 22nd in aFPA to quarterbacks. Even though it is a decent matchup, the road game will be a tough one for him and the Bills as the offense has been struggling. Keep Taylor on the bench as a QB2 for Week 12.
