Evan

Moore

Watson continues to play ahead of Evan Moore (two catches, 19 yards) between the 20s. He led the team with 10 targets today, with Colt McCoy often finding him on rollouts and on third downs. The problem is that McCoy continues to look for Moore in the red zone. That leaves both as weak fantasy plays.

Anyone with two eyes can see that Moore needs to be a major part of the Browns’ passing game. He has unique athleticism and hands for a guy that goes 6'6/250. As an elite red-zone target, Moore will be a TE2 with upside if Shurmur is true to his word. Moore was previously only playing a fistful of snaps per game.

An increase in snaps for the receiving tight ends would be traced to the team’s upgrade at right tackle (Mitchell Schwartz). This would free up the tight ends from pass blocking, meaning more Moore/Cameron and less Alex Smith. Ben Watson is the favorite to lead the unit in snaps, but is not on the fantasy radar.

Smelley will compete with Smith for the H-back role, but is also expected to push Owen Marecic for snaps at fullback. Although Ben Watson is slated to start at tight end, the Northern Ohio News-Herald considers Evan Moore the only “safe” bet to make the team. Jordan Cameron is also in the mix for reps.

Moore wasn’t on the field much, as the Browns instead went with Jordan Norwood and Greg Little in the slot for four-wide receiver packages. Moore isn’t going to be a fantasy option from here on out unless Ben Watson gets injured.

Moore wasn’t even targeted in Week 15, but he bounced back to tie Greg Little for the Browns’ team lead with seven pass targets. Moore’s six-yard TD in the fourth quarter cut the deficit to 20-14, although Cleveland couldn’t capitalize on its next drive. Moore has the talent to be an impact fantasy tight end, but his usage has been too limited for statistical consistency. He’ll get another opportunity to make an indelible impression in Week 17 against Pittsburgh.

Watson has sustained three concussions since training camp. Coach Pat Shurmur now says it’s possible Watson’s season could be over. “We’re hoping to get him back,” Shurmur said. “There could be a chance he doesn’t.” Evan Moore, who had four catches for 55 yards last week, will get the nod this week.

Moore generated a small amount of hype going into the year, but was limited by the team’s preference for Ben Watson as their ''in-line’’ tight end. Unless the Browns find an immediate solution for their quarterback situation, expectations should be curbed for 2012. Entering Week 17, Moore graded out as the 14th ranked tight end by Pro Football Focus.

Moore was not targeted in Weeks 11 or 12, and this is his first Rotoworld blurb since November 6. The garbage-time touchdown is not a sign of things to come.

He was targeted four times. Evan Moore did not catch a pass for a second straight week, but it’s not helping Watson. He’s barely on the TE2 radar.