Cleveland Browns bye week report cards: Tight end

Harrison Bryant: A

The reason why trading David Njoku is even a discussion is because of the emergence of rookie Harrison Bryant. A fourth-round pick out of Florida Atlantic, Bryant won the Mackey Award as college football’s best TE in 2019, and while the Browns didn’t intend on drafting a TE, they couldn’t afford to pass on Bryant in the fourth. He was immediately given a big role in Week 1, and has held onto it all season long.

As a former offensive tackle, his blocking skills are solid, and will improve as he continues to add functional strength. As a pass-catcher, he isn’t overly fast, fluid, or sudden, but he runs good routes and just gets open. He’s caught 15 of his 21 targets for 151 yards and three touchdowns, and seems to be quickly developing a rapport with Mayfield. 10 of his catches have gone for first downs; Mayfield definitely looks for him when the chains need to be moved, and that’s how things should be. Mayfield loved throwing to Mark Andrews in college and Darren Fells as a rookie; Bryant seems like a long-term dependable target over the middle.

Bryant may never be considered an elite player, but he’s got 10-year starter written all over him, and that’s fantastic value for a fourth-round pick.

The Browns have a good group of tight ends that fit exactly what Kevin Stefanski wants to do offensively. Two of them are guaranteed to be on the team next year. The question is, what will happen with the third?