Browns Tight End Corps Seeks Consistency in 2025
The Browns enter the 2025 season with familiar faces leading their tight end room, anchored by veteran David Njoku and supported by the versatile Jordan Akins.
As head coach Kevin Stefanski continues to emphasize the position in his offensive scheme, the unit faces questions about consistency and health.
Njoku enters his eighth NFL season as the Browns' undisputed tight end leader. The 6-foot-4, 245-pound Miami product finished 2024 with 64 catches on 97 targets for 505 yards and five touchdowns in 11 games played. His statistics reflect both his importance to the offense and the impact of missed time due to injury concerns.
He signed a four-year, $56.75 million extension in May 2022 after being drafted 29th overall in 2017. He followed that contract with career highs in targets (123), catches (81), yards (882) and touchdowns (six) in 2023. When healthy, he remains one of the league's more athletic tight ends capable of creating mismatches.
Akins enters his third season in Cleveland after signing a two-year contract in March 2023. The 32-year-old brings experience from Houston and New York, including a previous connection with Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson. He showed his value late in 2024 when his 16-yard touchdown reception snapped the Browns' 25-drive touchdown-less drought against Baltimore.
The Browns have added significant depth beyond their veteran leaders. Harold Fannin Jr., selected 67th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft from Bowling Green State University, brings immediate potential as a third-round rookie. The 6-foot-4 tight end earned the highest Pro Football Focus grade in college football with a 96.1 overall rating.
Fannin competed throughout OTAs and mandatory minicamp alongside returning tight end Blake Whiteheart, who was re-signed after being tendered as a restricted free agent. Rookie tight end Mitch Van Vooren also participated in spring workouts.
Christian Jones has been hired as the new tight ends coach, taking over from Tommy Rees. Rees was promoted from tight ends coach to offensive coordinator in January 2025.
The tight end position remains crucial in Cleveland's offense under Stefanski's leadership. General Manager Andrew Berry called Fannin "really kind of the queen on the chessboard" and praised his ability as a pass catcher.
Jones and Rees will work together to implement packages that maximize the position's impact, with the rookie potentially competing for the third tight end spot.
Looking ahead to this season, the Browns tight end room faces both opportunity and uncertainty. Njoku's health will be paramount, as his injury history has limited his availability in recent seasons. Akins provides valuable insurance but is set to enter free agency after two seasons with Cleveland.
The success of Cleveland's tight end corps will largely depend on overall health and quarterback development. Fortunately, this room represents one of Cleveland's more stable position groups, providing foundation for an offense seeking greater consistency.
