Ranking and grading each Browns player from the 2020 NFL Draft

Cleveland Browns Donovan Peoples-Jones (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Cleveland Browns Donovan Peoples-Jones (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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Sep 19, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end Harrison Bryant (88) makes a catch as Houston Texans cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III (26) defends during the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end Harrison Bryant (88) makes a catch as Houston Texans cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III (26) defends during the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

2. TE Harrison Bryant – No. 88

  • Drafted: Round 4, Pick 115
  • 2020 PFF: 60.7
  • 2020 Stats: 15 games, nine starts, 24 receptions, 289 yards, three touchdowns
  • 2021 PFF: 64.8
  • 2021 Stats: 16 games, three starts, 21 receptions, 233 yards, three touchdowns
  • Grade: B-
  • Career Stats:21 games, 12 starts, 45 receptions, 471 yards, six touchdowns

The Cleveland Browns currently have a logjam issue at tight end. Harrison Bryant has shown great potential but he’s having to fight for reps with Austin Hooper, who’s been anything but impressive, as well as David Njoku, who may be the Browns’ most athletic pass-catching option on the team.

Hooper has really shown some potential as a receiver but he’s just not getting opportunities. While he’s a reliable receiver, one of his bigger issues is blocking, and it’s been a big reason why he’s part of a rotation instead of an outright starter.

That’s been a minor issue for sure, and if he wants to unseat Hooper, he’s got to get better at blocking. If he’s going to be a future play-maker, either he’s going to have to adapt to the Browns system and be more of a blocker than he’s used to, or he’s going to have to move on to a different team that uses their tight ends as more vertical threats.

He’s a strong prospect still, and a solid player who warrants more reps but until he develops as a better blocker, or the Browns open up the playbook or move on from one or both of the incumbents, it doesn’t seem like Bryant will hit his peak as a player.