Despite the Cleveland Browns being 0-2 to start the year, the team looks to have found a steal in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Cleveland selected tight end Harold Fannin Jr. with the 67th pick in the third round out of Bowling Green. Although Fannin Jr. was a dominant tight end in college, there were concerns given the competition he played.
However, in the first two weeks, Fannin Jr. has had an impact as he’s recorded 12 receptions for 111 yards. Although he is the backup to David Njoku, Fannin Jr. has shown some promise. NFL analyst Alex Kay of Bleacher Report named the rookie a draft steal.
The Browns have a potentially transformative 2025 NFL draft class on their hands,” Kay wrote. “While Cleveland is still seeking its first win, the rebuilding franchise appears to be set up well for the future with several rookies already carving out key roles. Harold Fannin Jr. might be the best of the Browns‘ first-year bunch.
He may not have been nearly as hyped as fellow rookies such as second-rounder Quinshon Judkins or fifth-rounder Shedeur Sanders. But the unheralded Bowling Green product has gotten off to a blazing start to his professional career,” Kay added. Despite having to contend with entrenched veteran David Njoku for snaps and Cleveland’s plethora of talented wideouts such as Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman for looks, Fannin has reeled in a team-high 12 receptions while ranking No. 2 in both targets (14) and receiving yardage (111).”
As Kay notes, Fannin Jr. has been able to get plenty of targets and looks despite the Browns having a veteran-heavy receiver room.
Analyst Believes Fannin Jr. Will be a Future Starting TE
Although the Browns have Njoku, Kay expects Fannin Jr. to be the starting tight end in 2026.
Njoku is entering the final year of his four-year, $54.75 million deal and is set to be a pending free agent. With how well Fannin Jr. has been playing through two weeks, Kay expects Cleveland to make the rookie their starting tight end next season.
“With Njoku playing out the final year of his current contract and set to turn 30 years old after the season, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Cleveland move on from their longtime tight end and hand the position over to Fannin on a full-time basis starting in 2026,” Kay wrote.
Fannin Jr. has shown promise to be a starting tight end in the NFL, and Kay expects it to happen in 2026.
Fannin Jr. Expects Browns Offense to Start Clicking
Although Fannin Jr. has been having success through two weeks, Cleveland is 0-2.
However, the rookie tight end expects the Browns‘ offense to start clicking soon and start having success.
“Probably just things we put on tape,” Fannin Jr. said on a Zoom call Sept. 15. “We see some good things, some bad things. Obviously, just turn those good things into great things. We see the opportunities we have. I feel like it’s going to definitely start clicking more often…
“Maybe we do need to take more of those type of shots or get more explosive play,” Fannin Jr. added. “I feel though that, like I said before, we’re this close. Joe’s going to do a good job of whatever it may be, taking those shots and things like that. But, I mean, it is going to come, it’s going to come. Just trusting the process, it’s definitely going to come.”
The Browns host the Green Bay Packers in Week 3.
Analyst Names Browns Rookie as Draft Steal After 2 Weeks