The Cleveland Browns have seen the growth of tight end David Njoku in real-time. While he started his career on a rough patch, including being put in the doghouse by a former regime led by John Dorsey and Freddie Kitchens, Njoku has not only developed into a Pro Bowl tight end but part of the heart and soul of the Browns.
The rest of the room behind Njoku, however, is a bit lacking.
Jordan Akins was brought in as a receiving TE2, but the Browns got very little from him in the passing game a year ago. At just $2 million against the cap this year, however, the Browns will not find a better tight end at that pricepoint. Akins is not going anywhere.
However, the Browns did not draft a tight end as they enter the season with Giovanni Ricci (signed as a free agent this offseason) and Zaire Mitchell-Paden (a practice squad player over the past two seasons) at the bottom of the depth chart.
Where does this unit rank among the rest of the NFL? ESPN’s Mike Clay gives his answer. Here is how the various tight end rooms align according to Clay:
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Oct 2, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble (82) runs for yards after catch during the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Tommy Tremble, Stephen Sullivan, Ian Thomas, Ja’Tavion Sanders
31
Washington Commanders
Oct 8, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, United States; Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz (86) celebrates his touchdown reception against the Cincinnati Bengals at State Farm Stadium.
Zach Ertz, Ben Sinnott, John Bates, Cole Turner
30
Tennessee Titans
Sep 24, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Tennessee Titans tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo (85) makes a reception as Cleveland Browns safety Grant Delpit (22) tackles him during the second quarter at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Chigoziem Okonkwo, Josh Whyle, Nick Vannett, Thomas Odukoya
29
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jan 15, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton (88) is tackled by Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Avonte Maddox (29) during the second half of a 2024 NFC wild card game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Cade Otton, Payne Durham, Ko Kieft, Devin Culp
28
Cincinnati Bengals
New England tight end Mike Gesicki celebrates his end zone reception with 12 seconds left to put the Patriots in the lead for their 29-25 win over Buffalo.
Mike Gesicki, Drew Sample, Tanner Hudson, Erick All
27
Los Angeles Rams
Jan 14, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) breaks up a catch attempt by Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee (89) during the second half of a 2024 NFC wild card game at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports
Tyler Higbee, Colby Parkinson, Hunter Long, Davis Allen
26
Miami Dolphins
Dec 31, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Jonnu Smith (81) takes the field before the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
Jonnu Smith, Durham Smythe, Jody Fortson, Julian Hill
25
Denver Broncos
Dec 10, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Denver Broncos tight end Adam Trautman (82) celebrates his touchdown scored against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Adam Trautman, Greg Dulcich, Lucas Krull, Nate Adkins
24
New York Jets
New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin (83) reaches for a pass as Miami Dolphins linebacker Jerome Baker (55) covers on the play during the first half of an NFL game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Jan. 8, 2023.
Tyler Conklin, Jeremy Ruckert, Kenny Yeboah, Zack Kuntz
23
Los Angeles Chargers
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Hayden Hurst (88) hurdles Buffalo Bills safety Jaquan Johnson (4) after a catch in the second quarter during an NFL divisional playoff football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023, at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y.
Hayden Hurst, Will Dissly, Stone Smartt, Donald Parham
22
Seattle Seahawks
Oct 29, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Cleveland Browns linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (5) tackles Seattle Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (87) at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Noah Fant, Pharaoh Brown, A.J. Barner, Brady Russell
21
Indianapolis Colts
Jan 1, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Indianapolis Colts tight end Jelani Woods (80) catches the ball during warm ups before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Jelani Woods, Kylen Granson, Andrew Ogletree, Mo Alie-Cox
20
New Orleans Saints
Nov 26, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (83) reacts after a first down against the Atlanta Falcons in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Juwan Johnson, Foster Moreau, Taysom Hill, Tommy Hudson
19
Philadelphia Eagles
Nov 22, 2020; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (88) runs with the ball after a catch as Cleveland Browns strong safety Ronnie Harrison (33) defends during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Dallas Goedert, C.J. Uzomah, Grant Calcaterra, Albert Okwuegbunam
18
Dallas Cowboys
Jan 14, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (87) scores a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the first half for the 2024 NFC wild card game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Jake Ferguson, Peyton Hendershot, Luke Schoonmaker, John Stephens
17
Houston Texans
Dec 24, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz (86) makes a reception as Cleveland Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) defends during the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants tight end Darren Waller (12) makes a catch in front of Philadelphia Eagles safety Tristin McCollum (36) during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Darren Waller, Daniel Bellinger, Chris Manhertz, Theo Johnson
15
Green Bay Packers
January 20, 2024; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (85) scores a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the third quarter in a 2024 NFC divisional round game at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave, Ben Sims, Tyler Davis
14
Pittsburgh Steelers
Sep 18, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) and Cleveland Browns safety Grant Delpit (bottom) chase a fumble during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Pat Freiermuth, Connor Heyward, Darnell Washington, MyCole Pruitt
13
Arizona Cardinals
Dec 17, 2023; Glendale, Ariz, United States; Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir (2) during the third quarter at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Chow-Arizona Republic
Trey McBride, Elijah Higgins, Tip Reiman, Blake Whiteheart
12
Atlanta Falcons
Dec 24, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) catches a touchdown pass against the Indianapolis Colts during the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Kyle Pitts, Ross Dwelley, Charlie Woerner, John FitzPatrick
11
Chicago Bears
Dec 17, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (85) goes up for a Hail Mary against Cleveland Browns safety Duron Harmon (30) and cornerback Denzel Ward (21) and cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) and linebacker Sione Takitaki (44) during the first half at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Cole Kmet, Gerald Everett, Stephen Carlson, Tommy Sweeney
10
New England Patriots
Dec 17, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (85) makes a catch for a touchdown during the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Mitchell Wilcox, Jaheim Bell
9
Minnesota Vikings
Dec 24, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) warms up before the game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt, Robert Tonyan
8
Cleveland Browns
HOUSTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 24: David Njoku #85 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after scoring a touchdown reception against the Houston Texans during the second quarterat NRG Stadium on December 24, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
David Njoku, Jordan Akins, Giovanni Ricci, Zaire Mitchell-Paden
7
Las Vegas Raiders
Georgia tight end Brock Bowers (19) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of a NCAA college football game against UAB in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.
Brock Bowers, Michael Mayer, Harrison Bryant, Zach Gentry
6
Jacksonville Jaguars
Evan Engram, Luke Farrell, Brenton Strange, Josiah Deguara
5
Detroit Lions
Jan 28, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) runs with the ball against San Francisco 49ers cornerback Ambry Thomas (20) during the first half of the NFC Championship football game at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, James Mitchell, Shane Zylstra
4
San Francisco 49ers
Feb 2, 2020; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) during Super Bowl LIV against the Kansas City Chiefs at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
George Kittle, Cameron Latu, Eric Saubert, Brayden Willis
3
Buffalo Bills
Jan 21, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid (86) makes a catch and is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton (32) in the first half of the 2024 AFC divisional round game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (89) celebrates with quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) after catching a touchdown during the second half against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely, Charlie Kolar, Scotty Washington
1
Kansas City Chiefs
(Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports)
Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, Irv Smith Jr., Jared Wiley
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