While the 2025 season was a rough one for the Cleveland Browns, one of the pleasant surprises was the emergence of tight end Harold Fannin Jr. As a rookie, Fannin led the Browns in receptions (72), receiving yards (731), and receiving touchdowns (6), establishing himself as an important piece of the Browns’ present and future.
Now, entering Year 2 in the NFL, Fannin is paired up with an offensive head coach in Todd Monken, who knows a thing or two about coaching elite tight ends. Monken was impressed with what he saw from Fannin during his rookie season, and he’s ready to help the young tight end be even better.
Speaking with the media on Wednesday, the Browns head coach explained what Fannin needs to do to take his game to another level. Praising the tight end’s tackle-breaking ability and willingness to block, Monken emphasized that Fannin must continue developing as a blocker, and also become a true matchup player.
"Harold is still a developmental blocker, but what I do like about him is that guys at times with his athleticism aren’t all in on the blocking aspect of it, which he has shown he will be. He will do that for our team, so that’s still a work in progress. There were parts of the spring where we didn’t have him. But I think he has the ability to be a matchup player but also an elite run-after-catch guy. What I’ve seen on film is the run-after-catch, and a bull with the ball in his hands. Now it’s, can we get him in terms of his development further along in terms of his blocking, and as a matchup player."
Harold Fannin Jr. receives clear development points from Todd Monken
Being a good blocker starts with the willingness to do it, so the fact that Fannin isn’t afraid to get involved in the run game is a great starting point. Of course, like many young players, he still has to develop in the area and get better with his technique, but that should only be a matter of time.
As far as being a matchup player, Monken is likely referring to being able to move Fannin around and get him lined up against various types of defenders, and he will still have some advantage. The best tight ends excel because they are often too big for defensive backs and too quick, or fast, for linebackers. That makes them matchup nightmares, and Monken believes Fannin has the ability to get to that point.
If he does arrive at that level, he would be a game-changer for the Browns offense. Cleveland would be able to keep him on the field all the time, running behind him and frequently targeting him. With all of the other developing talented players on the Browns offense, Fannin could soon be a key piece for a dangerous unit.
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