Josh Cribbs

Cribbs will try to catch on somewhere as a depth wideout/returner.

After six years as strictly a special teams producer, Cribbs took strides as a receiver in 2011. Despite an underwhelming passing attack in Cleveland, he finished the year with career highs of 41 receptions, 518 yards, and four touchdowns. He also produced his bread and butter, ending the year ranked 6th league-wide in both kick return yardage and punt return average while notching one score. This season he should once again be a big total yardage guy and useful in formats that reward such production, but further upside as a wideout and his value in traditional formats figures to be limited. The Browns’ passing attack should be better in 2012 under the leadership of rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden, but only incrementally, and Cribbs will start the year behind Greg Little and Mohamed Massaquoi on the depth chart.

Arguably the greatest kick returner in league history, Cribbs hasn’t been a consistent part of the team’s offense, though it’s safe to say no receiver since Braylon Edwards has, either. New coach Pat Shurmur has stressed the importance of getting Cribbs more touches, and Colt McCoy should improve the overall passing game in Year 2. Cribbs did have 55 carries for 381 rushing yards in 2009, but to date, he’s never received more than 39 targets in a season. At 6-1, 192, Cribbs is bigger, stronger and harder to tackle than most elite return men, and his electrifying speed, quickness and vision have been on display for years during his returns.

Arguably the greatest return man of all time, Cribbs had four return touchdowns a year ago and finds himself penciled in as one of the team’s starting receivers — at least at press time. At 6-1, 192, Cribbs is one of the fastest players in the league, and his vision is second to none. He’s also strong enough to break tackles and tough to bring down in the open field. Cribbs has averaged 2.7 return TDs the last three years, so he wouldn’t need a ton of receiving work to merit consideration in deeper leagues. Moreover, Cribbs rushed for 385 yards and another score last year. Of course, he was hardly used in the passing game — just 37 targets, and it’s an open question whether the team intends to increase his role significantly, bring in a veteran free agent or get more work for some of the team’s other unproven wideouts.

Cribbs' role in the Browns' offense has never been clearly defined despite the fact that he excels as a returner. Look for him to be the team's top return man in 2009, but don't expect consistent numbers out of him on the offensive side of the ball until head coach Eric Mangini can find a way to effectively exploit his unique athletic ability.

His value lies as a returner, not as a receiver. You will want to keep this in mind when preparing for your fantasy drafts as he tends not to get involved in the offense too much.

Cribbs will look to build on his growing success with the Browns in the past two seasons. He should get more reps as a kick returner now that Dennis Northcutt is no longer on the team. Cribbs would like to see an increased roll as a receiver, but that may not be in the cards this season.

He will compete for time at wide receiver, but will find few balls thrown his way. He is still working to find his niche with the team, but is a favorite of the coaching staff. He will see time as a kick returner and has minimal fantasy value right now.

Cribbs will compete for a roster spot in a very deep Browns wide receiving corps. He is the starting kickoff return man.