Harold Fannin Jr. burst on the scene as a rookie in 2025, earning the respect of his peers and key decision makers around the league heading into his sophomore season. 

He's at the forefront of a Cleveland Browns tight end group that combines Fannin's exciting upside with some new faces with unique skillsets of their own.

It's a room that will open camp six players deep, which will leave head coach Todd Monken and GM Andrew Berry making some tough decisions about the final roster by the end of August. 

Still, it's a good problem to have. Where do things stand with Cleveland's tight ends entering training camp? 

Harold Fannin Jr.

Jack Stoll

Blake Whiteheart

Joe Royer

Carsen Ryan

Brenden Bates

One could ask if Fannin Jr. is due for some regression in year two, which is a fair question. With more mouths to feed around him in the offense, it certainly wouldn't be a total surprise if his numbers dip a bit, but that doesn't necessarily mean major regression is coming. 

The bigger question is whether or not a second weapon can emerge from this group to play Robin to Fannin Jr.'s Batman. In Baltimore, Monken was able to deploy Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely at the same time, quite a bit. Here in Cleveland, Fannin Jr. is his Andrews, and the Likely has yet to reveal itself. 

Either way, the Browns offense could be living in 12 personnel quite a bit, particularly in an effort to create some easy outlets for whoever starts at quarterback. If so, finding another reliable weapon from this room who can catch passes and become an extension of the o-line will be important. 

This scenario begins with the obvious: Fannin Jr. picks up where he left off last season and continues his ascent to stardom at the NFL level. That may mean the 2025 third-round pick leads the team in receiving, something he did last season with 731 yards and six touchdowns (only Quinshin Judkins scored more TDs). 

Meanwhile, a true second option emerges as a running mate to Fannin Jr. That could be Blake Whiteheart, who perhaps finds more success in Monken's offense than he did in Kevin Stefanski's. Joe Royer is a fifth-round pick with some upside in his game as a pass catcher. Jack Stoll is more of a blocking tight end, but maybe he's the perfect balance to Fannin Jr. 

Part of this outcome would also see seventh-round pick Carsen Ryan emerge as a real option to play fullback for Cleveland, bringing some unique versatility to the room as a whole, with his ability to line up anywhere. 

In this instance, it's the opposite for Fannin Jr. That aforementioned regression really does take hold and the Canton native becomes more of a role player in the offense instead of one of its brightest stars. 

As for the rest of the group, no viable second options emerge, as the rookies, Royer and Ryan look more like missed picks than promising contributors. 

If the Browns really do live in more of those multiple tight-end sets the tight ends should have success in spite of the QB play, much like Fannin did last year. However, if the QB play also regresses, all the skill positions will suffer, tight ends included. 

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