Cleveland Browns: 2021 Offensive 53-man roster prediction
By Greg Newland
Tight End
Given the system that Stefanski runs, it wouldn’t be a complete shock for him to keep four tight ends, but now, I have the Cleveland Browns sticking with three. With all the three tight end sets that the offense utilizes, it would not be shocking to see the Browns only dress five wide receivers (Natson being the sixth as a returner), or for the team to scratch the return specialist.
It’s crazy to say, but the Browns also have one of the best tight end rooms in the league as well. Austin Hooper, David Njoku, and Harrison Bryant are locked to make this roster.
Hooper was a pro-bowler before joining the Browns, Njoku has shown he can be one of the best receiving tight ends in the league, and Bryant was one of the biggest surprises of 2020. The big question here will be who gets the most snaps.
In a surprising turn of events last season, Njoku started third on the depth chart when the season started. Bryant ended up having a few rookie types of mistakes that eventually gave Njoku more playing time, but it’s hard to tell what will happen in 2021.
The Browns need Hooper to be better in 2021, and I expect Njoku to continue his improvement on blocking which will land them the one and two spots on the depth chart. A guy like Stephen Carlson could slip in as tight end No. 4 if Stefanski wants to go that route.