Stephen Carlson (meeting with Giants)
I genuinely thought Stephen Carlson would be back with the Cleveland Browns in 2022. The team already got rid of starter Austin Hooper and with the release of former starting fullback Andy Janovich, the team would’ve been wise to keep as many good blockers as they could who weren’t linemen. That’s what Carlson was, a guy who could block with the best of them, regardless of position.
Now the focus is less on run blocking and establishing the run, and more on airing out the ball. The changes to the team this offseason prove that and so David Njoku was given a contract he may never truly earn, and the emphasis was now on moving the offense in the air. That means fewer carries for Nick Chub and Kareem Hunt, as well as less of a need for a guy like Carlson.
Carlson is talking with the New York Giants as of right now and if they’re interested and wise, they’ll sign him. He’s not a great pass-catcher but his ability o stick with a block at tight end is amazing. He may not be All-Pro Jack Conklin good at blocking, but you could do worse than Carlson by a wide margin.