Varied receiving results
Tight ends David Njoku and Harold Fannin Jr. were steady targets for QB Dillon Gabriel in his first NFL start. Of Gabriel's 19 completions, 10 were to his tight ends. Njoku finished with six receptions and 67 yards and Fannin had four catches for 13 yards. Both tight ends caught a touchdown each against the Vikings.
Fannin caught a 1-yard touchdown from Gabriel on the Browns' second possession in the first quarter, scoring his first NFL touchdown. Njoku's touchdown helped the Browns reclaim the lead, securing a 9-yard pass from Gabriel on third down in the third quarter. Stefanski praised Njoku's ability to impact both offensive phases.
"Obviously we ask a lot of David (Njoku) in the run game and certainly in the pass game as well," Stefanski said. "I thought he had some good moments out there in the run game straining versus a very good Vikings' defense. Then, came up big in the red zone there, in the middle of the field that I thought was a nice outing by David (Njoku)."
Minnesota limited the Browns' wide receivers to five catches in the game with both WR Isaiah Bond and WR Jerry Jeudy catching two passes. Stefanski chalked up the lack of receptions from the wide receivers to the Vikings defense. He said the Browns need to be more dynamic and extend possessions, stating that the receiving corps will play a part in achieving both of those goals.
One receiver Stefanski said he is trying to get more touches is Jeudy. Following the game against the Lions in Week 4, Jeudy talked about dropping a crucial pass and needing to come up with such passes. Then, in Week 5, drops impacted Jeudy again. On a third-and-13 in the second quarter, Jeudy hauled in a 17-yard pass from Gabriel. After a Minnesota challenge, the call was overturned after the review showed him dropping the catch.
"Jerry continues to be our best wide receiver. We have to find ways to get him involved in the game," Stefanski said. "Having said that, he's a leader on this team, he will do anything in his power to help this football team, and I'm excited about the future for Jerry and this offense, but obviously I know he wants to do more, and we want him to do more."