Cleveland Browns 2015 position preview

The group on the Cleveland Browns that may have the most to prove in 2015, is the unheralded tight end position. With new addition Rob Housler – who spent the last four seasons with the Arizona Cardinals – leading the group, and rookies E.J. Bibbs, Kevin Haplea, and Randall Telfer competing for playing time, the only thing we know about this position is just about nothing. Throw in blocker Jim Dray and an inconsistent at best Gary Barnidge, and you’ve got a recipe for ambiguity headed into the season.

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*Malcolm Johnson was drafted as a tight end out of Mississippi State, but has already been changed on the teams official website as a fullback.

There may be some hope on the edges of an uncertain future for the position group. Last month, I wrote that Housler is positioned to become one of the Browns breakout players in 2015. Housler has the physical tools to create mismatches and dominate opposing linebacker’s and safeties. He’ll be used a viable outlet for whichever player is leading the offense. At this point, at the start of July, there are no other tight ends on the roster who have a high chance to compete for the starting job. Unless someone else is brought in, or a player already on the roster makes a huge push, pencil Housler in as the starter come the beginning of the season.

The Browns have had Barnidge and Dray on the roster for enough time now to know what they have in each player. Both players have a solid tight end build, so size isn’t an issue. Dray is going to be a last resort outlet as a receiver, nothing more, nothing less. He’s never amassed more than 242 yards receiving in any season. What keeps Jim Dray employed is his blocking ability. With an offensive line poised to have a monster year, Dray will be a great asset in short yardage and goal line situations. The question is will that be enough to keep him on the roster as the season rapidly approaches?

He’s kind of come out of nowhere. We feel that we have some depth in the room and some future depth in that room that we’re very pleased with. – Mike Pettine

Gary Barnidge is not quiet as easy to diagnose. Again, here is a tight end who has never eclipsed 242 receiving yards in a single season. He doesn’t block as well as Dray and he doesn’t have the hands of Housler; however, Barnidge is a good all-around player. He understands the game, has good vision, and knows what needs to be done on a play-to-play basis. With three rookies brought in, will this be enough to keep Barnidge employed in 2015 as the hybrid type of tight end that he is?

Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

Speaking of hybrid tight ends, enter the rookie Bibbs. Coach Pettine recently doted on Bibbs saying he ‘came out of nowhere.’ He is an undrafted rookie who is certainly catching the eye of important people inside the Browns coaching and front office ranks. It is said that Bibbs has a great work ethic, and is a true hybrid style of tight end who can both block and catch the football based on the need of the play. The only thing holding him back right now is his height. At 6’2 he isn’t large enough to create mismatches against any member of the defense, so he’ll have to rely on skill, preparation, and work ethic to make sure he is in the right place at the right time. Bibbs has a long road ahead of him to make the final roster, but for now, he is certainly impressing the right people.

Cleveland Browns 2015 position preview – Tight Ends

By Brandon Lambert | Jul 7, 2015