The emergence of Cleveland Browns tight end Ricky Seals-Jones

The Cleveland Browns faced some adversity when they lost David Njoku to the injured reserve. The Browns have since turned to Ricky Seals-Jones to fill the role of playmaking tight end.

When David Njoku was forced out of the Week 2 matchup against the New York Jets due to a concussion, it left the Cleveland Browns short-handed at the tight end position. It was later revealed that Njoku also broke his wrist on the same play and would be gone for an extended period of time. The unfortunate news raised a few legitimate questions.

Is the Browns tight end room deep enough to sustain an injury to Njoku and which tight end would step up to fill the void of production that was left by Njoku’s absence in the passing game?

On the night that Njoku went down the only two tight ends on the active who were with the Browns during training camp were Demetrius Harris, and Pharaoh Brown. Neither of which is going to strike fear in the hearts of defenses. Both tight ends are viable as blockers in the running game, but with Njoku out, the Browns clearly didn’t have a tight end that presented a mismatch issue for defenses.

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Enter Ricky Seals-Jones. The former five-star wide receiver recruit coming out of high school was claimed off waivers by the Browns after being cut by the Arizona Cardinals at the end of training camp. Seals-Jones, a former undrafted free agent, played two seasons for the Cardinals and registered 46 receptions for 544 yards and four touchdowns during his stint in the desert.

Due to Njoku’s injury, Seals-Jones was given the opportunity to prove himself as the pass-catching tight end of this Browns offense. Seals-Jones has seen his snap count increase each week from two to six to 20 in the game with the Baltimore Ravens. In those 20 snaps, Seals-Jones was able to catch all three of his targets for 82 yards and a touchdown.

Seals-Jones scored the first touchdown of the game on a nine-yard pass from Baker Mayfield. The two later connected in the third quarter on a 59-yard pass that set up a Browns touchdown on the next play. On the 59-yard reception, Seals-Jones showed just how good of a runner he could be with the ball in his hands.

Listed at 6-foot-5 and 243 pounds, Seals-Jones looks to be the mismatch option at tight end the Browns were looking for during Njoku’s absence. His ability to get down the seams is something that suits Mayfield’s skill-set as a quarterback. Seals-Jones provides another big-play option for the Browns offense and will stress the ability of the defense to play man-to-man coverage.

Njoku isn’t eligible to return from the IR until Week 12, and until he returns it will be Seals-Jones playing the role of playmaking tight end. When Njoku does return, it will provide the Browns a luxury that NFL teams are rarely afforded: two dynamic pass-catching tight ends.

You would have to believe head coach Freddie Kitchens will scheme up ways to get them both on the field at the same time. With their size and athletic ability, having Njoku and Seals-Jones together in a red zone package would be a nightmare for defenses to prepare for.

Next. Three Browns team MVP’s through first quarter of season. dark

Ricky Seals-Jones couldn’t have gone to a better situation for his skill-set. Now it’s up to him to make the most of his new role as a playmaker.

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