Dec 28, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski (left) celebrates with tight end David Njoku (85) during the first half against the New York Jets at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Breaking News: Cleveland Browns Announced The Departure Of Club Favourite….
Next up on our breakdown of the Cleveland Browns’ free agents is the tight end position. Tight end has one player set to become a free agent: Harrison Bryant.
Bryant was a fourth-round pick by the Browns during the 2020 NFL Draft. His rookie contract has come to an end, so he has the chance to test free agency for the first time.
For a backup tight end, Bryant’s cumulative numbers during the four years of his rookie deal don’t look bad: 89 catches for 791 yards and 10 touchdowns. Last year, he was on par with the first several years of his career, having 24 catches for 238 yards and 3 touchdowns.
The different element in 2023 was that the team also utilized him on some quarterback sneaks and pitch plays (i.e. where he lined up under center). Bryant ran the ball 5 times for 8 yards, picking up a first down on 4 of those attempts and fumbling on 1 of them. Cleveland did not try the sneak again in the final six games.
Much like David Njoku became a much better blocker later in his career, I felt the same was true for Bryant. Despite the team having signed Jordan Akins last offseason, Bryant held him off as the No. 2 tight end, and was consistently ranked as one of Cleveland’s top offensive players by PFF.
Last offseason, Bryant agreed to restructure the final year of his deal (due to a proven performance escalator) from $2.7 million to $1.75 million. I would match that if I was Cleveland, and try to re-sign him to a 2-year, $3.5 million deal. He is a solid No. 2 tight end behind Njoku, and I don’t expect Cleveland to be seeking another dynamic tight end threat in the draft when they will have their focus on improving the wide receiver position instead.
The 49ers’ need for another last second miracle deserves a deep rewind
It’s January 14th, 2012. We’re at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. With 14 seconds to play, down three, and facing a third down, the 49ers need a score to keep their playoff hopes alive – without needing to roll the dice in overtime. The Saints meanwhile can end this here with a takeaway and head to the NFC Championship Game themselves. To understand how we got here and to appreciate everything this moment represents, we need to rewind.
Coming from a 7-10 finish during the 2022-23 season, the Cleveland Browns improved their record from the previous campaign. If the team aims to take another leap, though, they might have to deal with Deshaun Watson during the offseason.
Throughout the last season, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski deployed five quarterbacks. These are Watson, P.J. Walker, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Jeff Driskel, and Joe Flacco, the NFL’s most recent Comeback Player of the Year awardee.
The use of these players shouldn’t have been a case had Watson played quarterback well for Cleveland. In 2022, when Jacoby Brissett still played for the Browns, he had a higher QBR of 62.0 than Watson’s 40.4. Last season, Flacco’s 48.3 QBR outclassed Watson’s 42.9.
Watson’s subpar performance has left many in the franchise wondering what should be done about him. Both Flacco and Brissett are free agents in the offseason, and bringing them back can help alleviate Watson’s poor impact on the team.Breaking News:
