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WR Braylon Edwards, Cleveland Browns

HT: 6-3, WT: 206, Born: 2-21-1983, College: Michigan, Drafted: Round 1, Pick 3

2008 Projections

Average draft position

Current as of June 28th. [Full ADP list]

Overall: R Grant (16), R Wayne (17), Braylon Edwards (18), M Jones-Drew (19), L Fitzgerald (20)
Position: T Owens (15-WR2), R Wayne (17-WR3), Braylon Edwards (18 - WR4), L Fitzgerald (20-WR5), A Johnson (22-WR6)
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 Click here to go to the Braylon Edwards spotlight, our staff's most detailed analysis.

Best Case

Edwards demonstrated his big-play potential last season by averaging over 16 yards per catch and hauling in 16 touchdown receptions (second only to Randy Moss). Entering just his fourth year in the league, Edwards still has room for improvement in his route-running and in his consistency catching the ball. If he can retain his big-play ability while improving his consistency, he could possibly exceed last year's No. 3 fantasy finish among WRs.

Worst Case

The Browns' offense surpassed expectations last year by quite a bit, and they'll have to prove that 2007 wasn't a fluke in order for Edwards to enjoy the kind of success he had last season. If Derek Anderson was a one-year wonder and Brady Quinn isn't yet ready for prime time, Edwards could suffer a steep decline in production, especially in touchdowns. While Edwards is a good bet to reach the 1,000 mark, he's only done so once in his career, so it is not a foregone conclusion.

Outlook

Edwards is a talented, young receiver in an explosive offense, and he should make his fantasy owners very happy again in 2008. While it is possible that he will regress a bit from his No. 3 fantasy finish last year, he is a solid bet to remain a top-ten WR, with many expecting him to end up in the No. 5 to No. 7 range.

Relevant Articles

Why he is overvalued

Jeff Tefertiller - The former Michigan Wolverine took a huge step forward with Derek Anderson under center, finishing as the third ranked fantasy receiver. The main reason for the huge season was the large number of touchdown receptions with sixteen. With the addition of Donte Stallworth, Braylon should not be able to have the inordinate number of scoring grabs in 2008. To be drafted this high, there is way too much risk with Edwards.

2008 Schedule

2007 Game Summaries

Week 1 - Edwards saw his targets increase once Anderson entered the game, but was unable to get much going on the afternoon. Though Anderson looked deep to him on a couple of occasions throughout the game (including a late interception intended for him), most of Edwards' catches came on short passes, primarily to the right side. Edwards was also guilty of losing a fumble after making a nice catch at midfield.

Week 2 - Edwards was the go-to target of Derek Anderson all day. He proved his toughness early in the first quarter going over the middle for an overthrown Derek Anderson pass that ended with Edwards being sandwiched in mid-air between two Bengal defenders. The pass may have been incomplete, but after shaking off the hit Edwards was back in the game on the next series. Edwards made a great diving catch on a 37 yard touchdown pass in the second half and proved very difficult to cover, no matter how the Bengals changed their coverage schemes.

Week 3 - Edwards began the afternoon with a nice catch down the sidelines over the shoulder where he tipped the ball to himself to avoid the defender, but later dropped an easy pass over the middle which would have gone for a first down. Edwards was blanketed much of the afternoon, but came free across the middle of the end zone to catch a 21 yard touchdown on a perfect pass from Derek Anderson in the third quarter of this game to temporarily put the Browns ahead.

Week 4 - Edwards is clearly the go to wide receiver in the Browns offensive scheme. He was willing to go over the middle of the field but also demonstrated his speed and agility as he faked out and then burned past Chris McAllister on a 78 yard touchdown pass.

Week 5 - Edwards has shown to be nearly unstoppable this year regardless of how defenses plot against him. He again led all Cleveland receivers with six balls for 110 yards and helps Winslow get open over the middle. Since Anderson became the starter in game two, Edwards has scored a total of four touchdowns and gained at least 83 yards per game.

Week 6 - Edwards showed why he is starting to live up to his third overall draft status. While catching three touchdown passes, Edwards demonstrated both his speed in getting behind defenders and his ability in jumping up over the cornerbacks for two of his three touchdown passes. His touchdown in the fourth quarter truly demonstrated why he is becoming such a key piece of the Browns offense. On this touchdown pass, Edwards ran a nice fade route to the outside corner of the endzone. Seeing an under-thrown pass from Derek Anderson, Edwards cut the route short, jumped over the defender, and came down with the ball and a touchdown. He was clearly Derek Anderson's first look on pass plays all afternoon.

Week 8 - Edwards was nearly unstoppable for most of the game. Whether he had to jump over a defender to catch a pass, like he did on his first touchdown catch in the first quarter, or just speed past a defender to get into open space, Edwards displayed a myriad of talents. Perhaps his best play came in the first quarter, where Edwards jumped over a Rams defender, made the catch and managed to keep both feet in bounds. For most of the game, Edwards was able to get open and haul in passes anywhere on the field. Only a 15 yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, for removing his helmet after a catch and a dropped pass late in the fourth quarter tainted what was, overall, a very impressive game.

Week 9 - Edwards was double covered for most of the afternoon, though Derek Anderson still found a way to try to get him the ball. Edwards' presence likewise helped open up the middle of the field for Kellen Winslow, and allowed the Browns to generate a ground game near the goalline.

Week 10 - Edwards was heavily covered throughout most of the game, but made a fantastic tip toe touchdown catch on his only grab when his quarterback threw the ball where only he could catch it. Edwards turned at the last second and dragged both his feet in bounds for a touchdown following a successful challenge by coach Romeo Crenel.

Week 11 - Edwards did not have one of his most memorable days, but nonetheless remained the key piece of the Browns passing offense. He did drop a sure touchdown pass early in the first quarter and had a key fumble during the Browns first possession of the game. Outside of those mistakes, Edwards still turned in a decent performance, making some very difficult catches over the center of the field and continued to be Derek Anderson's primary target in the passing game.

Week 12 - Edwards had a good day by most standards but still did struggle at times. He had three key drops in the game, all three being well placed passes that hit him square in the numbers. On all three plays, Edwards appeared to take off running down the field before he had secured the football. Despite the drops, QB Derek Anderson still went to Edwards as the primary receiver in the offense. Edwards would have had at least two more catches, as he did manage to get wide open close to the sidelines, but under-thrown passes by Derek Anderson prevented the additional receptions.

Week 13 - Edwards had another solid day, dropping only one pass and making some tough catches for the Browns. In the third quarter, on single coverage against CB Antrel Rolle, Edwards ran a short slant over the middle of the field, made a tough catch in traffic and was subject to a fierce hit from Rolle coming over the back. Edwards was able to not only hang on the ball, but take the hit and still reach forward for the first down. The play was one of the many ways Edwards was integrated into the Browns offense. At the end of the third quarter, Edwards put a very nice double move on Antrel Rolle, streaking past the defender, to make a leaping catch that resulted in a 67 yard touchdown. Aside from demonstrating his impressive moves, the play showed the speed Edwards has, as he easily gained separation from his defenders.

Week 14 - Edwards got off to a slow start, but ignited his afternoon with a fourth down catch for fourteen yards in the second quarter where he was able to get both feet down and extend a drive that would help break a scoreless tie.

Week 15 - Despite the weather, Edwards did make two brilliant catches. The first was a ball he tipped to himself, made the catch, and had the presence of mind to get both feet in-bounds. The second was a poorly thrown pass over his shoulder that showcased both Edwards leaping ability and his excellent hands. Both catches were certainly highlight-reel but ultimately both drives ended in a Cleveland punt.

Week 16 - Edwards suffered the most from the struggles by Derek Anderson. While he did lead the Browns in terms of number of receptions, his yardage was weak primarily because most of his receptions came on short cut routes toward the middle of the field. He did catch two touchdown passes, both over the center of the field, and was the first red zone look for Anderson. He was usually double teamed and had to either dive or leap for the pass. His first touchdown reception was impressive as he shed his coverage and found a gap over the center of the field for the catch.

Week 17 - Edwards' best play of the day was his 45 yard touchdown catch. On the play he made a very nice fake toward the middle of the field, a fake that Nate Clemens bought. This allowed Edwards to break deep down the field, with Anderson hitting him in stride for the score. Both Quinn and Anderson looked to Edwards side of the field first on almost every passing play.