CLEVELAND, Ohio — When the Browns acquired Deshaun Watson, it was the beginning of the end for the multiple tight end sets that have been the foundation of Kevin Stefanski and the Cleveland offense.
At the start of the 2024 season, 12 personnel (1 running back, 2 tight ends, 2 receivers) and 13 personnel (1 running back, 3 tight ends, 1 receiver) were replaced with 11 personnel (1 running back, 1 tight end, 3 receivers) in an attempt to maximize the skillset of Watson.
A new coordinator was brought in, new schemes were installed, and the roster was adjusted to accommodate Watson.
With a new coordinator, a new offensive line coach and Kevin Stefanski back calling the plays, look for the tight ends to be heavily involved in the Browns offense.
David Njoku is back and will look to rebound from a very average 2024 season, in which he battled injuries and had a career low 7.9 yards per reception. Jordan Akins had a very solid 2024 season with 40 receptions for 390 yards and two touchdowns. Akins’ future with the Browns is questionable as he will be 33 years old and is a free agent.
While a healthy Njoku will be the foundation at the tight end position for years to come, the Browns must get younger, faster, and more explosive behind Njoku.
Playing tight end for Stefanski requires position flexibility and the ability to block like a lineman and catch like a receiver. The 2025 tight end class is so deep and talented that the Browns can get a difference maker on all three days of the draft.
Here are three tight ends that will most likely be available on each day of the draft:
**Day 1: Tyler Warren, Penn State, 6-foot-6, 256 pounds**
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If the Browns decide that a quarterback is not an option for them with the No. 2 pick and trade down, Warren becomes a serious option. The former Nittany Lion had 104 receptions for 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns. His size, athleticism, height, length and spatial awareness makes him hard to cover in the seam of defenses. Those same characteristics will allow Warren to be an immediate red zone mismatch at the NFL level.
### **Areas of concern**
Warren will have to work on the details of route running at the professional level. His size and ball skills allowed him to dominate without the small nuances that will be needed at the pro level. He will learn to change pace, work angles, attack defenders' blind spots, and work against leverage as he learns the NFL game.
### **Fit for the Browns**
The idea of 12 personnel with Njoku and Warren would be a dream come true for Stefanski. With both guys being elite blockers and receivers, it forces a defensive coordinator to make a decision on personnel.
If a defense plays regular personnel to stop the run with more linebackers, Njoku and Warren are big, fast and athletic for safeties and linebackers in the pass game. If a defense plays nickel or dime personnel with more defensive backs, Njoku and Warren are too big and strong for the smaller defensive backs in the run game.
**Day 2: Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green, 6-foot-3, 241 pounds**
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In terms of receiving numbers, Fannin had the greatest year for a tight end in the history of college football. The former Canton Mckinley product had 117 receptions for 1,555 yards and 10 touchdowns. Fannin is a big receiver who is an elite route runner with outstanding hands and ball skills.
However, the former Falcon’s greatest strengths are his short area burst and yards after catch. This short area burst, seen on film, was confirmed with his 1.56 second 10-yard split at the combine.
### **Areas of concern**
At just 241 pounds, Fannin is undersized for a tight end and will need to be more physical as an in-line tight end when his hand is on the ground trying to block massive NFL defensive ends. The size, speed, and strength advantage he had on college linebackers and safeties, especially in the MAC, will be challenged from day one in the NFL.
### **Fit for Browns**
Great coaches maximize the strengths and talents of their players, rather than trying to fix their weaknesses. Focusing on players' strengths allows them to excel in areas where they are naturally talented, boosting their confidence and overall performance. As a flex tight end, Fannin is best in space, both as a blocker and receiver.
His versatility allows Stefanski to create matchups with spread formations with multiple tight end personnel groups. If this is the idea with Fannin, he can thrive in Stefanski’s offense.
**Day 3: Luke Lachey, Iowa, 6-foot-6, 251 pounds**
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Iowa has had a long history of tight ends who have been very successful at the NFL level.
George Kittle, T.J. Hockenson, Noah Fant and Sam Laporta are recent Hawkeye tight ends who have had great success. Besides having what it takes to be a good tight end, Iowa guys are really tough and are just good football players.
Luke Lachey is the latest tight end who fits that mold. He can play in-line or flexed out, catches the ball well and blocks well at the line or in space. Lachey finished the 2024 season with 28 receptions for 231 yards. Those average numbers are misleading because of the poor quarterback play from the Hawkeyes last season.
### **Areas of concern**
Lachey’s lack of raw speed and explosive could force the Iowa product to be an in-line tight end only at the NFL level. If that’s the case, he will need add some bulk to his 6-6 frame to be more stout at the point of attack in the run game.
### **Fit for Browns**
Lachey is a well-rounded tight end who can fill a lot of roles for Stefanski’s offensive scheme. His position flexibility, IQ, toughness and ability to catch the football would allow outstanding formation and play flexibility in 13 personnel. Lachey, at 6-6, would be an immediate red zone target.
**What we learned**
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The Cleveland Browns will have to get younger and more athletic if they plan to go back to Kevin Stefanski’s scheme. Warren, Fannin, and Lachey are just three tight ends in an extremely deep position group this year.
_Lance Reisland is the former coach at Garfield Heights High School, where he spent 18 seasons as an assistant for his father, Chuck, and four as head coach, from 2014 to 2018. In 2018, his team finished 11-1 and appeared in the OHSAA Division II regional semifinals. That team went 10-0 and made history as the first Garfield Heights team in 41 years to have an undefeated regular season along with beating Warren G. Harding for the first playoff win in school history._