Harold Fannin Jr. Could Have Big Role in Rookie Season
Cleveland Browns rookie third-round tight end Harold Fannin Jr. had a busy day earlier this week at mandatory minicamp and could have a big role in his first season in the NFL with the Browns expected to use more two-tight end sets in 2025. "He's got really strong hands," tight ends coach Christian Jones said. "He tracks the ball well and you see it on tape every time he's been playing when you study him and we're getting ready to see what he'd be for us. The guy catches everything, tracks the ball well and really adjusts to the ball in the air." Fannin is on the small side for a TE, but his production last year at Bowling Green speaks for itself (117 catches, 1,555 yards and 10 touchdowns). It's unclear if he has the athleticism to exceed regularly in the NFL, though, and he'll have a tough time making a fantasy impact in 2025 as long as David Njoku stays healthy.
Harold Fannin Jr. an Intriguing YAC Weapon for Browns
The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Lance Reisland suggests that the Cleveland Browns need rookie third-round tight end Harold Fannin Jr.'s big-play abilities in their offense in 2025. Fannin, who stands at 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, had a whopping 117 catches for 1,555 yards and 10 touchdowns in his final college season in 2024 at Bowling Green. He consistently created separation with elite route-running and reliable hands, but the question is whether Fannin can continue to do that consistently against better competition in the NFL. The 20-year-old has excellent yards-after-the catch skills, which the Browns desperately need, and is a matchup nightmare. There's a lot to like about Fannin's pure skills as a receiving tight end, but he's on the small side for a TE and will need to work on his blocking skills before he has any chance of unseating David Njoku as the team's primary pass-catching tight end.
Browns, Harold Fannin Jr. Agree to Terms on Four-Year Rookie Deal
The Cleveland Browns and rookie third-round tight end Harold Fannin Jr. agreed to term on a four-year, $6.7 million contract on Friday, a source tells FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz. Fannin set FB single-season records for catches (117) and receiving yards (1,555) by a tight end at Bowling Green in 2024 and will now join a Browns tight end room that includes David Njoku and Blake Whiteheart, among others. The 20-year-old was selected with the 67th overall pick in the third round. Although his production in college speaks for itself, he's undersized at the position at 6-foot-3 and 241 pounds and also isn't fast enough to have a ton of long-term fantasy upside. The Browns will try to develop Fannin's pass-catching skills so that he can eventually overtake Njoku as their starting TE, but that's unlikely to happen in 2025, if ever.
The Cleveland Browns have selected Bowling Green tight end Harold Fannin Jr. with the 67th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Fannin was born and raised in Canton, Ohio, a fitting home for the Browns' latest addition. He was phenomenal in his senior season at Bowling Green, catching 117 passes for 1,555 yards. Not only did these numbers place him atop the MAC, but they led all of FBS, too. He added 10 touchdowns along the way. Cleveland has David Njoku at tight end, but they're in need of major offensive reinforcements and will still benefit from adding a dominant pass-catcher like Fannin.
Harold Fannin Jr.
• TE
•
Browns
