Cleveland Browns: Is Harold Fannin Jr. set for a big second year?

CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 28: Harold Fannin Jr. #44 of the Cleveland Browns is introduced prior to a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Bank Field on December 28, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images A key strategy for building a successful NFL roster is to have a replacement ready a year before you plan to move on from a veteran.

That was the idea a year ago when Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry selected tight end Harold Fannin Jr. in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft . Incumbent tight end David Njoku was heading into the final year of his contract, and with Berry navigating the final years of Deshaun Watson’s contract, it seemed clear that Njoku’s tenure in Cleveland was coming to an end.

The move turned out even better than expected as Fannin set franchise records for most receptions by a rookie (72) and most receiving yards by a rookie tight end (731), while leading the squad in touchdown receptions (6). Njoku is now in Los Angeles after signing a one-year contract with the Chargers, which sets up Fannin as the No. 1 tight end and positions him to build off his rookie season.

But the revamped tight end group is not the only change in Cleveland this year, as the offense will look different under new head coach Todd Monken than it did under former head coach Kevin Stefanski, who enjoyed using multiple tight ends. The thing about Harold Fannin Jr that makes him such a difficult evaluation is that his foot quickness and short-area twitch produce some really eye-opening routes. Good on choice routes (if matched with a LB) and really good on digs and corners pic.