Cleveland Browns Positional Preview: Tight End

David Njoku is still on the team! For the sake of this piece, we’re going to act like he has stepped away from the team since he most likely won’t be a Brown when the season rolls around. Don’t worry there will still be a small section for him.

The Starter

Andrew Berry went out and made a splash in free agency, getting Kevin Stefanski a shiny new toy on offense, Austin Hooper. The former Falcons tight end has been one of the top tight ends in the league the last two seasons and has been named to the Pro Bowl both years. Hooper will be an instant upgrade at the position that David Njoku formerly held and will be an extremely reliable target for Baker Mayfield.

Nov 3, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper (81) runs into the end zone for a touchdown during the second half of a football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The Falcons won 43-28. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

The Backup

The Cleveland Browns selected Florida Atlantic tight end, Harrison Bryant, with the 115th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Bryant is the first non-Power 5 player to win the John Mackey award, which is awarded to the nation’s best tight end. Bryant was a focal point in Lane Kiffin’s offense over the past three seasons at FAU and showed he had the potential to be a star at the next level. We can only wait and see how he’ll turn out in Cleveland.

Harrison Bryant Mock Draft — Could the Arizona Cardinals pick up a mid-round steal like tight end Harrison Bryant?

David Njoku!

Well would you look at that! He’s still in Cleveland. There hasn’t been any news or rumors recently about Njoku’s trade request. He stated on Twitter “WE WANT TO PLAY” and most recently tweeted, “I want to make something very clear. I love the city of Cleveland with all my heart. This game is filled with a lot of complications but don’t think for a second that I don’t love and appreciate Cleveland and all that it has done for me *100 emoji*.” If Njoku reports to the team and a trade isn’t done before the season starts then look for him to be moved around the deadline.

The Backups

The most experienced backup tight end on the Browns roster is… drumroll please… Pharaoh Brown! Brown has played 11 games in his career, two with the Raiders in 2017 and nine with the Browns this past season. He has two career receptions for 27 yards.

The most productive backup on the Browns roster is Stephen Carlson. Carlson played in nine games last season and has five career receptions for 51 yards and a touchdown.

The Browns signed UDFA and former Iowa Hawkeye, Nate Wieting. He saw very little playing time at Iowa so we don’t really know what he brings to the table.

Free Agents

Jordan Reed: The former Washington Redskins tight end’s career became riddled with injuries as it went along. If he can stay healthy and replicate the success he found in 2015 then he could be very intriguing target.

Redskins Tight End Jordan Reed. Geoff Burke, USA TODAY Sports

Vernon Davis: Another former Washington Redskin! Davis has had a long career but he has slowly fallen off since the early 2010’s. If the team thinks he can contribute then why not sign him.

Delanie Walker: Walker’s career fell off drastically after the 2017 season. Lingering injury issues and a promising young player in Jonnu Smith led the Titans to part ways with Walker after seven years with the team.

Next week we’ll move over to the defensive side of the ball and take a look at the defensive line! We have a new podcast and you can listen on Spotify and Stitcher! Make sure to follow us on Twitter @FPC_Browns and @NSwansonMedia for more Browns related content!

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