David Njoku can build off his role in recent seasons as Harold Fannin Jr. looks to complement production
Noah Monroe
The Browns are about a week away from the start of the 2025 training camp. To prepare for training camp, associate editor Kelsey Russo and staff writer intern Noah Monroe are putting together a preview for each position on the roster. Catch up on other position previews on thequarterbacks,defensive line,offensive line,linebackers,wide receiversandcornerbacks. Next up, let's look at the tight ends.
The Tight Ends:
Brenden Bates
Sal Cannella
Harold Fannin Jr.
David Njoku
Blake Whiteheart
What we know:A healthy and rejuvenatedDavid Njokuleads the tight end room into the 2025 season after a 64-reception season, the second-most of his eight-year career.Brenden BatesandBlake Whiteheartjoin Njoku as returnees to the Browns after helping to hold down the position throughout last season.Harold Fannin Jr., a third-round pick and Canton, Ohio, native, will join Njoku and co., playing for his hometown Browns after having a record-setting 1,555-yard junior season at Bowling Green.Sal Cannellawill look to make an impression as well after making the UFL All-Star Team this spring following a 474-yard season in the league.
The biggest question:How will new offensive coordinator Tommy Rees potentially utilize two-TE-sets in passing situations? Rees coached the position group in 2024 before being promoted to offensive coordinator during the offseason. With Njoku, who was top 10 among tight ends in receptions in 2023 and 2024, continuing to establish himself as being one of the best receiving tight ends in the league, Rees already has a dangerous player to line up outside the tackles. But, with the Browns drafting Fannin, as well as bringing on Cannella from the UFL, Rees has multiple tight ends that he can have design plays for to provide multiple threats in the pass game.
The biggest number:117. The number of receptions that Fannin had last season with Bowling Green, leading the NCAA in the category. Fannin with his record-setting 1,555 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns showcased his pass-catching abilities. In today's NFL where tight ends need to be able both block and catch, Fannin Jr. has shown the potential to be able to do the latter at the next level. With Njoku already on the roster, if Fannin can bring his success from Bowling Green to the Browns, it'll give the Browns another great TE.
"(Tight ends coach Christian Jones) has done an excellent job making sure that we're getting (Fannin) ready to go," Rees said. "He's made some plays throughout camp for us and continue to expect him to do so and continue to push to find ways to get him involved in."
The X-Factor:Njoku. Despite an 11-game season in which he was impacted by injuries, he was still able to give the Browns good production catching 64 passes for 505 yards, scoring five touchdowns. A healthy Njoku will play a pivotal role in the Browns' pass offense, as he was targeted nearly nine times a game and notching 5.8 receptions per game last season both being the highest averages of his career.
"He had a tough year last year. A lot of things going on with injuries, and I think he fought through them all well," Jones said. "He's always going to try to be out on the field. That's something that I've heard, and it's been expressed by him. It's a visible frustration when you ask him how the last year went."
Says it all:"It's using bigger personnels to try and create passing opportunities or staying in smaller personnel to run the ball. It's just being versatile on how you approach the game and how you approach game planning and using tight ends in different positions. They don't always have to block. They don't always have to run routes that are love of the game. Now we love those. We need to do those, right? But tight ends can be playmakers, and I think we're starting to see a lot more athletic players show up." Jones on using tight ends in different situations
How many were kept on the initial 53-man roster in 2024:2
