The Cleveland Browns have a new coach going into the 2026 season. We all know this. Already, changes have been made to the coaching staff as well as the player roster.
The new head man, Todd Monken, is an offensive-minded coach. He is well-known for his ability to rejuvenate an offensive unit and make it one of the league’s best.
RELATED: DEEP DIVE INTO MONKEN’S COACHING STOPS
When Monken was hired as the OC of the Georgia Bulldogs, they ranked #49 in the nation in offense when he arrived. In his first
year, the Bulldogs ranked #9 and averaged 443.1 yards per game. The second season, Georgia’s offense was now ranked #5 in the nation with an average offensive yardage gain of 501.2 per game.
Plus, the Bulldogs won two national championships while Monken was in charge of the offense. Since he left for the NFL as the OC with the Baltimore Ravens, Georgia hasn’t been back to the national championship stage. Meanwhile, in Baltimore, the Ravens went from a #16 offensive ranking to #6 and then became the #1 offense in the league in just two seasons.
At the NFL owners’ meetings recently in Phoenix, each head coach was involved in an interview session encircled by various media outlets. In Monken’s Q&A, he mentioned different offensive schemes such as 12, 21, and 11. He was asked why teams don’t use 21 personnel with the offense any longer, a setup very popular up until the end of the 1990s.
21 personnel usually consists of two running backs, one tight end, and two receivers. One of the backs can be a fullback. Think Dallas Cowboys in the 1990s with Michael Irvin and Alvin Harper catching passes, Jay Novachek at tight end, and Moose Johnston blocking for Emmitt Smith.
Monken stated that things change mainly because of more mobile quarterbacks. Then, the coach mentioned the backfield situation:
“You don’t see fullbacks because they don’t exist. So, they’re not trained to play fullback. It’s hard to find those guys. In a world of winning quickly, how long do you have to develop a player who isn’t comfortable in that role? You get the point, a lot like they’ve done in the past here, use an offensive lineman in the backfield. Use an offensive lineman as a blocking tight end. You just don’t have those players coming out in the draft anymore.”
Monken was hired away from the Baltimore Ravens, where he was their OC for the past three seasons. Their offensive scheme featured a great running game with a fullback: six-time Pro Bowler Patrick Ricard. Of course, their main running back is Derrick Henry, who each season is ranked as one of the top backs in the league. In 2024, he gained 1,921 yards. Last year, he had 1,595 yards.
All of this was done with Ricard leading the way.
Sam La Cavera of the Bearded Browns Podcast stated:
“Monken and company know how to utilize a fullback properly. Most teams have fallen away from the fullback position, usually putting a tight end in that spot. Like in this draft, we need a true left tackle, and we need a true fullback. Whether we sign a free agent FB or draft one late in the draft. I’m all for bringing a fullback back to Browns football.”
Monken hinted that the Browns could be in the market for a fullback:
“It’s not that that’s not good football, I just think that you’re comfortable with what you’ve done. That doesn’t mean that’s right. It’s not about being right, it’s about getting it right. But when you don’t see it, or you’re not around it, you’re not going to run it. I’ve been around pieces of two backs. You just don’t see it as a general rule.”
And in Cleveland’s past, they have employed some superior fullbacks. Both Marion Motley and Jimmy Brown were listed as fullbacks. Cleo Miller. Kevin Mack. Ernie Green. Bo Scott. Mike Pruitt.
And Monken wants this new Browns offense to run the ball effectively. Even if that means getting a fullback on the roster and inserting him in this year’s training camp. Monken already has the experience of using a fullback.
La Cavera added:
“I like the idea of a smash mouth running game with a true fullback bulldozer with legs lead blocking for our running backs.”
But who would be available in this year’s NFL draft? It should be noted that several college fullbacks are now listed as tight ends for the draft process because of the lack of NFL clubs using the position of fullback at the next level. Very few teams actually have a fullback.
Riley Nowakowski – Indiana
Draft projection: Round 6
Browns pick: #206
Played fullback in college and is now listed as a tight end because of the lack of the position utilized in the NFL. He is a reliable intermediate receiving option who has natural hands with zero drops this past season. Very good YAC and offers alignment versatility. Consistent blocker. Excellent special teams player.
Nowakowski scored the game’s first points in the National Championship Game this year.
The knock on him is that he is the perfect size for a fullback, but undersized when lined up at tight end. He does lack burst coming out of routes, where he struggles against man coverage.
Specifics:
Career attempts: 2
Career rushing yards: 2
Career receptions: 50
Career receiving yards: 518
Career average yards per catch: 10.4
Career total touchdowns: 8
Career games: 55
Accolades: National Champion, Second Team All-Big 10, John Anderson Award winner
Max Bredeson – Michigan
Draft projection: Round 6
Browns pick: #206
Another fullback is now listed as a tight end. Won the Lowman Trophy for college football’s best fullback. He gives high effort and is a sound fullback/H-back/tight end. Bredeson excels at finding work in space and is an excellent blocker who finishes. A very physical player with high character and a two-time captain.
He has had limited production and poor numbers as he has been primarily utilized for his blocking skills, but he has ideal size. He needs to improve his special teams capacity with limited time with this group.
Specifics:
College: Michigan
Height: 6’-2”
Weight: 252 pounds
40-time: 4.75
Career attempts: 0
Career rushing yards: 0
Career receptions: 12
Career receiving yards: 132
Career average yards per catch: 11.0
Career total touchdowns: 0
Career points: 0
Career games: 54
Accolades: National Champion, Third Team All-Big 10, Lowman Trophy winner
Eli Heidenreich – Navy
Draft projection: Round 6
Browns pick: #206
Very fast with great hands. Broke his school’s all-time receiving yards record. Outstanding body control and a dual-threat athlete. Great blocker with a compact, tough frame. Good 40 time.
Heidenreich does not have ideal fullback size and would need to add girth and weight. Very limited route tree, and his open-field effectiveness is limited.
Specifics:
College: Navy
Height: 6’-0”
Weight: 198 pounds
40-time: 4.44
Career attempts: 169
Career rushing yards: 1,157
Career average yards per carry: 6.8
Career touchdowns: 16
Career receiving yards: 1,994
Career points: 140
Accolades: Second Team All-American, Second Team All-Western Athletic Conference, East-West Shrine Bowl invitee
Truman Werremeyer – North Dakota State
Draft projection: Round 7
Browns pick: #248
Probably the best blocking fullback in this year’s draft. Good receiver and a willing blocker. Ideal size for a fullback. Offers a competitive edge.
Specifics:
College: North Dakota State
Height: 6’-2”
Weight: 248 pounds
40-time: 4.88
Career attempts: 0
Career rushing yards: 0
Career receptions: 13
Career passing yards: 86
Career average yards per catch: 6.6
Career total touchdowns: 1
Career points: 6
Career games: 31
Accolades: Senior Bowl invitee
Vaughn Pemberton – Boston College
Draft projection: Round 7
Browns pick: #248
Outstanding agility numbers. Excellent blocker and special teams ace. Will earn his keep as a Swiss Army Knife, willing to do anything and everything to help his team. 100% effort.
He is not known for his foot quickness, but is a physical blocker.
Specifics:
College: Boston College
Height: 5’-11”
Weight: 231 pounds
40-time: 4.66
Career attempts: 119
Career rushing yards: 548
Career receptions: 22
Career passing yards: 136
Career average yards per catch: 4.6
Career total touchdowns: 8
Career points: 30
Career games: 38
Accolades: Senior Bowl invitee
Do you want the return of the fullback for the Browns? Do you think the team should spend a draft pick to add one to make sure Monken gets his guy?
Share your thoughts in the comment section below
