We’re continuing with the preseason evaluation of the Cleveland Browns roster with the tight ends.
The Cleveland Browns have made some interesting moves this offseason, most of which we all know by now, but one of which will affect this section the most; the release of Austin Hooper. The Browns are transitioning away from the days of carrying four tight ends and will instead invest more heavily in receivers.
This of course isn’t unexpected, the Browns are moving away from what they were to what they are in order to accommodate their new quarterback. They’re trying to get faster on the edges and down the middle as much as possible, and this means moving away from tight ends.
One problem that fans will eventually realize is that not only will the Browns be throwing to the tight ends less, let alone using them as much, but will also be taking away rushing reps from the running backs. That was part of the reason the Browns carried four tight ends for as long as they did, so they could have extra blockers.
That was where Hooper excelled and was most valuable, despite his pedestrian receiving numbers. Not only did the Browns move on from Hooper but pure-blocker Stephen Carlson as well. Carlson was arguably as good as any offensive linemen on the team not named Jack Conklin, but Carlson is currently a free agent, and it looks like the Browns have no interest in bringing him back.
Carlson would fit well in Tennessee alongside Austin Hooper or could find a place with former quarterback Baker Mayfield in Carolina. Either way, this year’s crop of tight ends will be used vastly different than in past years, and that may end up being a good thing.
Like with the receivers, each player will not only be ranked but graded as well. Here’s what the grades will indicate
Each player will get a letter grade and here is how they break down;
- F – expected to be out of the league before the end of his rookie contract
- D – practice squad guy
- C – could get minutes as a backup
- B – starter
- A – among the league’s best
Ranking and Grading the tight ends
Honorable mentions:
Neither Zaire Mitchell-Paden nor Nakia Griffin-Stewart have a realistic shot of making this team as long as the status quo is what it is. Mitchell-Paden barely played in College, and Griffin-Stewart has bounced around from team to team over the last few years. At best they’ll land on the Browns practice squad as depth fodder, but that entirely depends on Marcus Santos-Silva.
Grade: Incomplete
4. Marcus Santos-Silva
The Browns are once again trying to follow NFL trends. Ever since Antonio Gates debuted with the San Diego Chargers as a former basketball player out of Kent State, the NFL has been trying to find the next Gates. Enter Marcus Santos-Silva. I would be gobsmacked if Santos-Silva made the actual roster. He’ll likely be one of the protected players on the practice squad, giving him time to learn his position. Right now, he’s nothing but a fun project.
Grade: F
3. Miller Forristall
The Browns didn’t want to pay Austin Hooper and that’s fair but man, they didn’t really invest any money in talent at the position following his release. Miller Forristall was not a big-time college player, wasn’t an elite receiver at his position either. He’s failed to catch on until now and at best, he’s a body and at worst he’s an unknown commodity.
Grade: D-
2. Harrison Bryant
I’m torn on Harrison Bryant. He’s really not a good blocker but with the Browns going in a more pass-focused offense in 2022, he likely won’t be asked to do that as much, which means he won’t be as exposed. That may be a good thing but the other problem is the Browns aren’t expected to run as man two-tight ends sets either, meaning Bryant won’t get nearly as many reps. If Bryant can’t get on the field, he won’t get the opportunity to show what he can do as a receiver. Right now, his prospects aren’t high and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Browns don’t re-sign him at this point.
Grade: C+
1. David Njoku
The Cleveland Browns gave the most inconsistent player since 2017 a massive contract extension with the hope that a more dedicated passing game will help David Njoku flourish. Like with Bryant, Njoku was a bad blocker as a tight end, and he was routinely replaced either by Stephen Carlson in 2020 or Andy Janovich in a fullback role in 2021 when the team wanted to run. He still had his fair share of reps as a run blocker, no doubt, but the Browns are clearly retaining him because he fits what they want to do this year, which is pass. Njoku may be a viable option to play make on a Browns team that is noticeably shallow of actual deep-threat playmakers. He and Amari Cooper are clearly the most apparent talents to do just that. Yet, his inconsistencies and personality issues over the years do cast doubt.
Grade: B
Positional Grade
Overall, the Cleveland Browns have a lot of unknowns at the tight end position. Even at the top with David Njoku and Harrison Bryant. It’s Njoku’s sixth season and we still don’t know what he brings to the table. That’s partly due to the mismanagement of the organization.
While it’s often cited with Baker Mayfield, Njoku has also played under four head coaches and a countless number of positional coaches and offensive coordinators. That’s not the issue for Njoku, however, the issue is that with each new head coach, he was given different tasks.
Under Hue Jackson, he split time with Seth Devalve but under Greg Williams, he let his tight end be the primary receiving option alongside a healthy Jarvis Landry. That duo and Mayfield thrived in that offense. Then Freddie Kitchens came in, tinkered with the offense, and the whole thing went bust. Njoku got in the dog-house, Landry got hurt and never really recovered and Mayfield was forced to learn a whole new offense.
Then Stefanski came in and again saddled Njoku with partners in crime, this time in Austin Hooper and Harrison Bryant, taking away reps from Njoku. Now Hooper is gone and Bryant is the obvious backup now to a more wide receiver-focused offense. That means Njoku is now the guy and we still don’t if he can be, but yet he’s being paid like he is.
His contract doesn’t get problematic until year three, thankfully, but no one can say with certainty that Njoku is ready to be a Top 10 guy at his position just yet.
His issues as a player aren’t even just about quarterback play, Njoku has a tendency to drag in his routes and drop easy passes. He also gets stifled off of his releases more than people want to acknowledge. In a timing offense like the Browns ran under Mayfield, this sunk so many plays. Yet, with Deshaun Watson, the Browns are hoping Watson’s legs extend plays more and allow guys to find spots to get open. This is where Njoku could shine.
As for Bryant, it’s unlikely he’ll ever live up to his lofty billing. He came out of college as a mid-round selection but carrying the mantle of the best college tight end. He’ll probably only ever be the second guy on a team, but if Njoku struggles, he should have a shot to prove his worth. Just what that ends up looking is anyone’s guess.
The Browns have no viable tight ends after those two men. So this is a very weak-looking portion of the roster.
Overall Position Grade: C-