Predicting the Cleveland Browns 2020 Depth Chart: Tight End

Starters

Kevin Stefanski seems set to have two tight ends in the base offense for the majority of the plays. One of those is now the highest-paid in the NFL after general manager Andrew Berry lured him away from the Atlanta Falcons.

Austin Hooper

When the free agency period opened up, the Cleveland Browns were very active. They signed two big names right out of the gates with offensive tackle Jack Conklin and tight end Austin Hooper both agreeing to deals. For Hooper, he became the highest-paid at his position when he signed a four-year, $44 million contract.

Hooper stood out as a great receiver for the Atlanta Falcons but he’s underrated in the blocking department which is part of the reason Stefanski likes him so much. He’s one of the more complete tight ends in the NFL and will be well worth the money — even if his receiving numbers don’t look similar to what he had in the Falcons’ pass-happy offense.

David Njoku

For the time being, David Njoku is the second starting tight end for the Browns. They have said there are no plans to give in to his trade request but the same was said about Duke Johnson last year and in the end, he was sent to the Houston Texans.

For Njoku, it’s understandable why he wants out. He’s not exactly a great blocker and in Kevin Stefanski’s offense, he will be required to block much more as the second tight end. Sure, once he is utilized in the passing game he will be more efficient than ever before but it’s also probably true that he can receiver more targets elsewhere.

Keeping him in Cleveland, however, makes sense for the team. Njoku gives them another set of reliable hands and can stretch the field with his speed. We’ll see who blinks first but it feels as though the Browns have the leverage in this one since Njoku is under contract for two more seasons.