The Cleveland Browns need to add depth, playmaking ability, and reliability to the tight end room in 2025, and this year’s NFL Draft class is loaded with options in multiple rounds for Andrew Berry and Co. to choose from.
The team brought back TE Blake Whiteheart this offseason which at least adds another body to the room, but Kevin Stefanski likes to use 12P/13P sets at a pretty high clip. They must find another player or two who can contribute meaningful reps behind David Njoku in 2025 and beyond.
Notre Dame TE Mitchell Evans is a player who could be on the Browns’ radar heading into draft weekend due to his contested catch and blocking ability, as well as his alignment versatility.
Fun fact: Evans is from Wadsworth, Ohio.
“Nicely done there.” - Rich Eisen on Mitchell Evans’ gantlet drill.
Evans also ran a 4.74 40-yard dash at 6-foot-5, 258 pounds. pic.twitter.com/DywU5KoQvs
— Jack Soble (@jacksoble56) March 1, 2025
Name
Mitchell Evans
Position
Tight End
Height/Weight
6’5”, 258 lbs.
College
University of Notre Dame
2024 Stats: 16 games: 43 recs., 421 rec. yards, 9.8 Y/R, 3 TDs
Career: 45 games: 77 recs., 903 rec. yards, 11.7 Y/R, 5 TDs
Relative Athletic Score
Average “Big Board” Position As of Publishing Date fromMock Draft Database
150th Overall
The Draft Network’s Grade/Round Value
Day 3 - Scheme Specific
What an Expert is Saying
“Evans projects as a TE2 at the NFL level. Evans is a viable in-line talent with the build and blocking ability to serve as a primary blocker and add-on to the core while showing the hands and contested catch ability to play as an underneath zone buster and checkdown spacer in the passing game.
Teams that boast explosive wide receivers could feasibly lean on him as an ancillary/low-level starter in an 11p offense.” - Kyle Crabbs, The 33rd Team
Fit with the Browns
Mitchell Evans would immediately be able to come in and contribute in some shape or form when the team utilizes multiple tight-end sets.
Notre Dame actually lined Evans up outside in the red zone to take advantage of his above-average contested catch ability. There’s a chance that he could be used in that way for the Browns as well if selected.
Browns Player Drafting Could Impact
Nobody as of right now. Last season’s TE2, Jordan Akins is currently an unrestricted free agent and there’s an overwhelming feeling that he won’t be brought back.
Cleveland is most likely looking to upgrade the position regarding some scheme-specific attributes, primarily in the blocking category. The Browns could be using more 12P sets going forward and it’s important to have multiple tight ends that are fairly well-rounded as both a receiver and blocker.
Priority
Medium.
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