Cleveland Browns: Who’s left behind starter Austin Hooper if David Njoku is traded?

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 01: Stephen Carlson #89 of the Cleveland Browns stiff arms Steven Nelson #22 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first half on December 1, 2019 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 01: Stephen Carlson #89 of the Cleveland Browns stiff arms Steven Nelson #22 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first half on December 1, 2019 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Browns
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 01: Tight end Nate Wieting #39 of the Iowa Hawkeyes is brought down during the second half by safeties Trayshon Foster #11 and Adam Buirge #29 of the Northern Illinois Huskies on September 01, 2018, at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

4. Nate Wieting

The Cleveland Browns signed Iowa tight end Nate Wieting as an undrafted free agent after the 2020 Draft. Wieting was a college walk-on that worked his way up to starting tight end his senior season. To make it from walk-on to starter at what most people call tight end university shows the work Wieting is willing to put in.

By the end of his senior year, scouts around the NFL viewed Wietling worth a late-round pick based on his blocking ability alone, so to get him as an undrafted free agent was a solid move by the Browns. Even in a crowded, tight end room, it is always prudent to bring in someone that excels in an area, and Wieting’s blocking skills are excellent.

Wieting is clearly fighting to make this roster with or without Njoku on the depth chart. He has limited college production, with only 13 total receptions over only eight games in his college career. He also had some injury issues that held him back a bit in college.

If Wieting is going to find a spot on this roster, it will be with his blocking. The problem is he will need to jump over the next player on this list to get there.