Cleveland Browns' rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. continues to shine as the team's leading pass catcher this season.
The Cleveland Browns’ 2025 draft class has a real shot to go down as one of general manager Andrew Berry’s best drafts with the struggling franchise.
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Berry’s first three selections in the previous draft have already shown signs of greatness in defensive tackle Mason Graham, linebacker Carson Schwesinger, and running back Quinshon Judkins. However, there is one rookie who continues to shine this season on offense for the Browns.
Rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. has quickly become one of the team’s best offensive weapons this year, leading Cleveland in receptions (48) and receiving yards (462).
One of the main reasons for his success this season has been what he’s done after catching a pass, as Fannin ranks No. 7 amongst all tight ends in yards after the catch with 241 yards. Fannin backed this up in Week 12 against the Las Vegas Raiders, making two pivotal catches near the line of scrimmage and turning the plays into first-down conversions.
Earlier this week, offensive coordinator Tommy Rees raved about Fannin’s ability to create yards after the catch to reporters on Friday.
“He’s done that all year,” Rees stated when discussing Fannin’s yards-after-catch ability. “You know, we try to tell our guys, when you think Harold’s being tackled, like, he’s probably not. So, keep playing through the play and keep blocking."
In addition to receiving praise from Cleveland’s playcaller, fellow rookie and starting quarterback Shedeur Sanders also gave praise to Fannin, claiming that he “sets an example” for the Browns in yards after the catch.
“It’s great to be out there with Harold,” Sanders said. “I know that for all the receiving core, that’s the goal, to get YAC or yards after the catch. I think he sets an example, sets the bar high for us and this team.”
Fannin, prior to becoming a perfect weapon for the Browns’ offense, was a standout tight end at Bowling Green. In his three seasons with the Falcons, the 21-year-old managed to record 2,396 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns before ultimately deciding to enter the 2025 NFL Draft.
It wasn’t until his last season at Bowling Green that he was truly able to break out, as he tallied 1,555 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns on 117 receptions in 2024. His impressive play last season made him a finalist for the 2024 John Mackey Award, which is given to the best tight end at the collegiate level.
However, Fannin saw his draft stock stumble during the 2025 NFL Combine after poor testing numbers. This eventually became a perfect opportunity for Berry, who would select the young playmaker in the third round.
With veteran tight end David Njoku set to become a free agent this offseason, Berry and the rest of the front office must decide whether or not to re-sign the 29-year-old. Njoku has played a key role on offense ever since being drafted in 2017, but as the team begins a new era of football in Cleveland, the Browns may turn to Fannin in 2026.