If you are looking for positives surrounding the Cleveland Browns offense, you can start with tight end Harold Fannin. Fannin, whom the team selected in the third round of last year’s NFL draft, showed legit promise as a reliable pass-catching target. New head coach Todd Monken has worked with tight ends well, going back to his time at the University of Georgia. During his tenure with the Baltimore Ravens, Monken worked with tight end Mark Andrews and current New York Giants tight end Isaiah Likely.
Andrews, who is a three-time Pro Bowler, was productive and Likely had a career year under Monken in 2024.
Despite the Browns lackluster passing attack, Fannin was the lone bright spot. Fannin has the versatility to play on the perimeter due to his archetype as a hybrid tight end. Fannin’s ability to generate yards after the catch is how Cleveland was able to generate some form of explosiveness in the passing game.
Monken went as far as to compare him to current Las Vegas tight end Brock Bowers, which might seem extreme, but Monken coached Bowers during his time in Georgia.
Despite the lack of weapons the Browns have, Cleveland and Monken can find a way to utilize Harold Fannin and get the most out of him. Whether it’s putting him on the perimeter more than usual or finding mismatches in terms of personnel usage, Monken will be anxious to see how he finds a role for him.
If the Browns choose to draft another tight end in this draft, the one that makes sense is Georgia’s Oscar Delp, who also has college experience with Monken. The Delp/Fannin duo could be similar to the Andrews/Likely. Delp is the in-line tight end, with Fannin being the hybrid role.
Year 2 Harold Fannin, under Monken, could be primed for a breakout season and a spot near the top of the tight end rankings.
What do you think the ceiling is for Fannin, especially now with Monken calling plays? Is the Bowers comparison too strong?
Share your Fannin thoughts, and/or thoughts on tight ends in this year’s draft, in the comment section below:
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