The Cleveland Browns and Dwayne Bowe have agreed to a two-year deal. Bowe is coming off his least productive full season, as he only caught 60 of 96 targets for 754 yards and zero touchdowns. A former All-Pro receiver and owner of a 15-touchdown season in 2010, Bowe’s stats suffered in the two years he played with quarterback Alex Smith. Smith, although a solid real-life quarterback, has a reputation for refusing to take chances down the field. Smith failed to complete a touchdown pass to a wide receiver during the 2014 season. All-in-all, Bowe’s skillset was underutilized as a receiver during the Andy Reid/Alex Smith era in Kansas City.

Bowe instantly becomes the No. 1 wide receiver in Cleveland. Even though he is turning 31 in September, he should still have a few years of solid production. The Cleveland offense is a question mark, as first-year offensive coordinator John DeFilippo has never called plays on the NFL level. The last time DeFilippo called plays at any level was while he was the offensive coordinator at San Jose State in 2011. His offenses averaged 30 runs and 40 pass plays per game. It would be a safe bet to assume the Cleveland offense will be a little more balanced, as head coach Mike Pettine appears to be cut from the Rex Ryan mold. The Browns ran the ball with authority last season until All-Pro center Alex Mack was lost for the year.

Unless the Browns take a quarterback in the NFL draft, it appears that Josh McCown will be throwing to Bowe this year. McCown is much the opposite of Smith as he is not afraid to take chances downfield. This should play more into Bowe’s wheelhouse. The main concerns for Bowe are that the Browns offense is still bereft of big-time playmakers who can help keep the defense honest, and Josh McCown is an average NFL quarterback.

Overall, consider the move a slight upgrade for Bowe’s fantasy prospects. He will play with a quarterback more willing to throw downfield and utilize Bowe’s size at the goal line. The zero-touchdown season was an aberration, and Bowe most certainly will not be kept out of the end zone again this season. Even though the Browns want to run the football, they will probably find themselves losing in many of their games. Therefore, they will be forced to throw the ball in the fourth quarter. Consider Bowe a low-end WR3 in standard leagues and a high-end WR4 in PPR leagues heading into drafts. If you can get him in the mid-to-late rounds as your fourth or fifth receiver, you should be in a good position.

Matthew Terrelle is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Matthew, check out his archive and follow him @supermt.

