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How the Cleveland Browns could follow the steps of the 49ers

By Clay Goodwin

CLEVELAND, OHIO - JANUARY 14: Kevin Stefanski talks to the media after being introduced as the Cleveland Browns new head coach on January 14, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JANUARY 14: Kevin Stefanski talks to the media after being introduced as the Cleveland Browns new head coach on January 14, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 15: Austin Hooper #81 of the Atlanta Falcons drops a touchdown catch during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. The Falcons defeated the 49ers 29-22. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 15: Austin Hooper #81 of the Atlanta Falcons drops a touchdown catch during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. The Falcons defeated the 49ers 29-22. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) /

4. Tight end

The 49ers have one of, if not the best tight end in the league, George Kittle. He had a breakout year in 2018 and an even better year in 2019. He was a huge reason for the Niners’ success last season. He gave 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo a huge weapon in the middle of the field and a trustworthy safety valve when they needed a big play. Kittle accounted for over 25 percent of Garoppolo’s passing yards in 2019.

The Browns again have a similar situation on their team heading into 2020. In free agency the Browns added Austin Hooper. Hooper has made the Pro Bowl each of the last two seasons and is really breaking out into being a great player. While he may not be one of the best three tight ends in the league, he is in the top-tier at the position. Cleveland already had David Njoku on the roster, who is an elite athlete and has a high ceiling. Between the two, Cleveland has one of the best tight end rooms in the NFL.

Hooper can now give Mayfield a sure-handed play-maker in the middle of the field. He finished second in the league in 2019 in catch percentage, catching a remarkable 83.9 percent of passes thrown his direction. This gives the Browns another huge threat to add to Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry on the outside. Stefanski also loves two tight end sets and the pair of Hooper and Njoku can be dangerous, especially in the red zone.

Sure, Kittle is a better player than either tight end the Browns have, as he is an elite player, but Cleveland still has given themselves real talent at the position to help this coming season. Again, this should lead to better offensive production.

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