Cleveland Browns bye week report cards: Tight end

Giving out mid-term grades for the Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns enter their bye week with a record of 5-3, and since they’ve played half their season, it’s a good time to give out mid-term report cards for each of the position groups. Next up are the Browns tight ends, a position group that was expected to have a massive role in Kevin Stefanski’s offense.

Cleveland made Austin Hooper the highest-paid TE in the NFL (at the time) and then selected Harrison Bryant in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, and then picked up David Njoku’s fifth-year option.

According to Sharp Football Stats, the Browns rank fifth in 12-personnel (1 running back and two tight ends) and first in 13-personnel usage (1 RB and three TEs).

Austin Hooper: B+

A Pro Bowler in each of the past two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, Hooper is a reliable target, but one that lacks the athleticism of the truly elite TEs in the game today. Over the past two campaigns, Hooper averaged 73 catches for 720 yards and five touchdowns. In six games with Cleveland, he’s hauled in 22 of his 33 targets for 205 yards and a score. His yards per reception is actually down a yard from where it was last season, when the Falcons used him primariy on short routes.

Hooper and Baker Mayfield may not have great chemistry just yet, but the quarterback at least knows he can trust Hooper when he needs a completion; Hooper has caught each of his seven contested targets, which is an impressive feat. 12 of his receptions have also gone for first downs, so when he returns from appendicitis next week, look for him to get more involved in the offense with Odell Beckham Jr. out for the season.