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TE Kellen Winslow Jr, Cleveland Browns

HT: 6-4, WT: 250, Born: 7-21-1983, College: Miami, Drafted: Round 1, Pick 6

2008 Projections

Best Case

Kellen Winslow led all tight ends in receptions two years ago, and has been tied for third in receiving yards in each of the last two years. His touchdowns have lagged behind the other top fantasy tight ends, keeping him out of the top three, but Winslow has all the skills required to be a top-notch scoring threat. As long as he stays health, Winslow will continue to be a major focus of the Browns' offense, and has about as good a shot as anybody as claiming the #1 fantasy TE title in 2008.

Worst Case

Winslow has been hampered by injuries to his right leg since coming into the league four years ago. He's had four surgeries to his right knee since the time of his motorcycle accident (the most recent of which was this past February). He played in all 16 games in each of the past two seasons, but his knee often swelled after games, and it's far from guaranteed to hold up for another full 16-game season. There's a realistic concern that Winslow could miss significant playing time if his knee gets banged the wrong way.

Outlook

Winslow should be a top five fantasy tight end if he can stay healthy for 16 games. Monitor his participation in training camp and the preseason. If he's taking practices off to rest his knee, proceed with caution. If he can take on a full workload without a setback, he should generally be one of the first three tight ends drafted.

2007 Game Summaries

Week 1 - Upon the entry of Derek Anderson into the game, Winslow saw an immediate increase in targets, and came up with a pair of long catches (20 and 30 yards) on the Browns' only scoring drive. Winslow was however responsible for ending the Browns' only other drive into Steelers territory, called for offensive interference away from the ball.

Week 2 - Winslow was the second place Derek Anderson would look if Braylon Edwards was covered. He was quite effective running up the middle seams of the Bengals defense and making tough catches in the middle of the field.

Week 3 - The Raiders made every effort to commit a safety over the top and linebacker underneath to cover Winslow, and slowed him down before allowing him to accrue team leading targets and catches on the Browns comeback drives late in the game.

Week 4 - Winslow, playing with a shoulder injury, still made a huge impact in the game. Aside from his 49 yard reception, he played a key role in the Browns blocking scheme. Along with Braylon Edwards, Winslow is Anderson's favorite target.

Week 5 - Winslow had another big game against a formidable defense, catching four passes for 49 yards and one touchdown. He also had another potential TD pass near the end of the game called incomplete when he had stepped over the end line. Winslow also lost a fumble late in the fourth quarter that was returned for the last New England touhdown.

Week 6 - Winslow had a very good game being a consistent presence for the Browns offense over the middle of the field. On one play late in the second quarter, Winslow sped up the middle of the field, flew past LB Jason Taylor and caught a 33 yard pass that ultimately led to a Browns field goal. On the play, Winslow demonstrated both great speed and the smarts to realize that he was facing man coverage against a slower opponent in Jason Taylor.

Week 8 - Winslow had a touchdown reception in the second quarter but other than that, he was pretty quiet. On the reception, Winslow split the middle seam in the Rams' defense and caught a bullet pass from Derek Anderson, in traffic, for the touchdown.

Week 9 - Winslow saw as many targets for the Browns as opponent Bobby Engram saw for the Seahawks, with both receivers catching double digit passes and gaining over 100 yards. Winslow just missed a touchdown late in the game, but averaged 11.4 yards per catch on the productive afternoon.

Week 10 - After being very involved in the first series of the game with three catches and a touchdown, Winslow was held quiet until the final series of the game as the Browns tried to mount a comeback. Winslow made a very good blocking fake on a play action pass that resulted in him sliding into the open field for a touchdown without a defender.

Week 11 - Winslow had a quiet day, but was able to give QB Derek Anderson a safety outlet over the center of the field. He did come up with a huge 18 yard reception during overtime that put the Browns well into Phil Dawson's field goal range.

Week 12 - Winslow had a very good game, working the middle of the field and catching every pass thrown his way. Houston double teamed Winslow for most of the game but despite the coverage, Winslow was able to find space to make a catch or jump over the defenders to grab the ball. His physical style was more than the Texans could handle as demonstrated on his touchdown catch. On the play, Winslow broke free towards the center of the field and caught a laser like pass between two Houston defenders. Winslow had to drop to his knees to make the catch and despite taking two big hits, he held on to the ball, scoring the touchdown.

Week 13 - Winslow had a very quiet day as he mainly saw double coverage all game long. His modest line of only three catches for 35 yards is a testament toward the effectiveness of the Cardinals defense. He did however make a nice catch on the last play of the game that appeared to be the game winning TD. But it was reviewed and ruled an incompletion.

Week 14 - The Jets tried to jam Winslow at the line and throw off the rhythm between Winslow and Derek Anderson. Winslow didn't come up with any big catches in this game, but his presence helped hold the linebackers and open up the running game for Jamal Lewis. Winslow was the target of Anderson's interception, a ball Anderson tried to force to Winslow.

Week 15 - Winslow was shut down by the Buffalo defense, often double teamed on pass plays. As a result Winslow only caught two catches for 28 yards.

Week 16 - Winslow had a good game, albeit a difficult one as he tried to deal with some of the poor passes coming his way. He was most effective over the middle of the field, either cutting from the sideline toward the middle or simply running a stop route to a defined point behind the Cincinnati linebackers. Early in the first quarter Anderson connected with Winslow on a short pass off the left side of the line. Winslow showcased not only his strength but some impressive moves on the play, forcing two defenders to miss and bolting down the field. Despite his effectiveness in the overall passing game, Winslow was not a major factor when the Browns got into the red zone. Most pass plays were designed to either go to Edwards or were dump off passes to Jason Wright or, occasionally, Jamal Lewis.

Week 17 - Winslow could have had a big game had he not dropped a Brady Quinn pass in the middle of the endzone. The play was a designed pass over the center of the field, but due to the defensive traffic in the area, Quinn was forced to throw a bullet at Winslow. The pass hit Winslow in the numbers, but he bobbled and eventually lost the pass. Winslow was also targeted in the end zone in the first quarter, a pass that was ultimately intercepted. He also had a big role blocking for Jamal Lewis, as he was often out in front of the runs toward the sideline.