The Cleveland Browns added two exciting rookie receivers this offseason in KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston, and expectations are high for the two wideouts. However, until they prove themselves in the regular season, second-year tight end Harold Fannin Jr. remains the team’s top pass catcher.
That's why it was extremely disappointing that Fannin was essentially a non-factor in Cleveland’s Week 1 game. To be fair, no one on the Browns offense did anything, but Fannin only having two receptions for 21 yards on three targets is absolutely unacceptable. Moving forward, the Browns have to do a better job of getting the tight end involved, and they have the perfect opportunity to do that in Week 2.
Cleveland will be returning to Florida in Week 2, taking on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While the main storylines of the game will be Baker Mayfield’s revenge and Deshaun Watson playing to hold on to his starting spot, it’s Fannin who has the chance to emerge as the star of the action.
The Buccaneers are coming off a Week 1 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, and in that game, Tampa Bay struggled to contain Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki. If Cleveland can attack what seems to be a weakness for the Bucs, Fannin should have a huge game.
Browns must challenge Buccaneers defense with Harold Fannin Jr.
The Bengals have arguably the best wide receiver duo in the NFL with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, but it was Gesicki who led the team in Week 1 with 5 receptions for 78 yards and one touchdown. The veteran tight end had his way over the middle of the field, proving that Tampa Bay’s linebackers were no match for him in coverage.
Obviously, the Browns watched that film, so Cleveland’s offensive staff should be planning to target Fannin early and often. The team also has to be prepared for a different Buccaneers defense, though.
Tampa Bay also watched the film, and the Bucs know they were vulnerable in the middle of the field as well. In fact, Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles and linebacker Alex Anzalone emphasized the need to be better in that area. In addition to the focus that the Bucs will have on defending tight ends, it’s also worth noting that Cleveland doesn’t have Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, so it may not see the same coverages that Cincinnati did.
Still, Fannin is plenty talented enough for the Browns to try and exploit what seems to be a weakness for Tampa Bay. As a rookie last season, the tight end led Cleveland with 72 receptions for 731 yards and six touchdowns and an additional rushing touchdown. He did that in 16 games, and it was very clear that he was just getting started.
That’s why it was so disappointing for Browns fans that the team didn’t get him involved in Week 1. That needs to change on Sunday, especially since a successful day from Fannin could be the key to a Cleveland win.
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