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Browns rookie TE Harold Fannin Jr could be a big part of the 2025 season

   

When you look at the Cleveland Browns offense, it’s a work in progress, to say the least. The quarterback room is crowded with no definitive starter, the running back room has been remade, while the wide receiver and tight end rooms have some minor tweaks to it.

Browns NFL draft pick TE Harold Fannin Jr could be a big part of the 2025 season - Dawgs By Nature

Looking at the tight end room, it’s been an issue for the past couple of seasons. Outside of Pro Bowler David Njoku, the room lacked depth and a reliable second tight end opposite of Njoku. That all changed when the Browns selected Bowling Green standout Harold Fannin Jr in this past draft. Fannin Jr was productive in his three years at Bowling Green and was one of the top tight end prospects in this past draft:

In terms of fit, Fannin will fit in well, considering what the offense lacked last year in the passing game.

Versatility

If you look at Fannin’s build, he’s closer to a wide receiver than an actual tight end in terms of size. Think of Fannin as a power slot type player (i.e, Seattle Seahawks WR Cooper Kupp as an example). Fannin has the ability to create mismatches on the field and head coach Kevin Stefanski will have many ways to utilize him and get him opportunities. Whether it’s lining him up in 12 personnel or putting him out on the perimeter, Fannin will find a way to contribute and create issues for opposing defenses

GM Andrew Berry had an interesting title for Fannin:

Berry called Fannin, the Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Year, the “queen on the chessboard” because of his ability to line up at multiple positions on the field.

 

YAC ability

One thing that the Browns offense lacked last year was generating yards after catch on a consistent basis. Fannin helps in that department. When you watch Fannin, he has the ability to generate YAC. Despite playing as a tight end, he moves like a wide receiver:

While he doesn’t have blazing speed, he has the ability to turn a 5-yard gain into a 10 or 15-yard gain. It’s something that the Browns offense needs and Fannin provides in that area.

Fannin’s ceiling in the Browns offense

If utilized correctly, Fannin could be an underrated weapon in the Browns offense as soon as this year. Depending on how the quarterback situation is, Fannin can find a way to get involved in the offense and be a contributor instantly. Could he make the Pro Bowl as a rookie? Unlikely, but he could potentially be a Pro Bowler in a couple of seasons if he makes the leap earlier than expected.

The Browns have lacked a tight end opposite of Njoku for a while, but Fannin can potentially be the solution to the problem that has plagued Cleveland for a while. It wouldn’t surprise me if Fannin were to finish in third in receiving yards this season and have a late-season breakout once he settles in and finds his role in the Browns offense.

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