Peyton Hillis is a top 30 player in just about every fantasy football rating you look at.  That not bad for a fullback traded for a back up quarterback. Peyton Hillis has emerged as the Cleveland  Browns premier running back and exploded last year rushing for 1177 yards, 13 touch downs, and 61 receptions for 477 yards.  Peyton Hillis went from a no name player to the cover of Madden (Which for the superstitious is a bad thing because Madden Cover Players are believed to have terrible years!). PPR Fantasy Football said that Peyton Hillis was one of last years best sleeper picks.  Because of all this hype fantasy owners have started to think that Peyton Hillis’ value might be over rated and he could turn into this years bust player.  People also sight that although Peyton Hillis had a monster season his production slacked off towards the end of the season.  Obviously these concern could be true, but this sports writer thinks differently and has 4 reason to back it up!

The Browns are multidimensional this year

One of the Biggest things that hurt Peyton Hillis production at the end of last year was when team saw how dominate he was they started loading people in the box.  The Browns’ opponent could do that because lets face it the browns where very one demsional.  They had a quarterback controversy with Seneca Wallace and Jake Delhomme!  I don’t mean to be rude they are both respectable guys, but they are not premier quarterback by any means.  Neither of them ended up winning in the end.  Colt McCoy ended up being the best browns QB, but he was never really given the chance to develop due to all the QB controversy.  In spite of that he looks like he is going to be a good QB in the NFL.  Colt McCoy looks great in the Preseason and the Browns Offense looks like they will be able to really pass the ball.  This means teams will not be able to put 8 or 9 in the box because the Browns will just pass the ball.  This is going to give Peyton Hillis a lot more running room.  Peyton will be able to face defenders more one on one and I believe Peyton Hillis is going to come out on top more often then note.  The Browns also have a great line and that will be able to give him some hole to run through.

 

Peyton Hillis will get some needed rest

Peyton Hillis is a competitor.  He played last year on injuries and always wants to compete.  I am sure that he loved getting almost every carry last year at running, but it took it toll on him and it showed at the end of the season.  The Browns signed Brandon Jackson in the off-season and have a solid though unproven running back in Montario Hardesty.  Peyton will still be the definite starter, but it means that he can get some needed rest.  This will allow him to be just as dominate in the second half of the season as he was in the first half of last year.  Also he is the Browns smash-mouth running back and when the browns get to the goal line and it matters most he is going to be the guy that the browns give the ball to score that touchdown. And in Fantasy Football that is what matters most!

The Browns’ West Coast offense will boost his receptions

This point is especially relevant to PPR Fantasy Football leagues!  The Browns coaches have actually come out and said that Peyton Hillis is going to be a dynamic part of the Browns and they don’t just want him running.  He proved that last year that he can catch the ball very proficiently and his receptions are only going to go up.  Also as Colt McCoy is still growing and getting used to the NFL the Browns’ coaches are definitely going to give him a dump route and Peyton Hillis is going to be the perfect solution.  I wouldn’t be surprised is he lead running backs in the NFL in receptions this year and that is going to be major points in a PPR league.

Easier Schedule

Finally one of the last things that is really going to help Peyton Hillis out is that the Browns have an easier schedule.  It is amazing that a team that plays the Steelers and Ravens twice could have an easier schedule, but they do.  Last year the Browns also had to play the Patriots, Jets, Saints, and Falcons.  The Peyton Hillis will not have to face nearly as hard run defenses as he had to the year before which should obviously also boost his numbers.  All in all I don’t think Peyton Hillis is going to be the best back in the league but I do think he is going to be a dominate running back and worth a late second round or third round pick especially in a PPR league.