21-year-old Harold Fannin Jr. did a praiseworthy job in David Njoku’s absence in his rookie year, eventually leading to the veteran's departure as a free agent.

With 72 receptions, Fannin was the Cleveland Browns’ lead tight end, but that won’t suffice in the upcoming season. An NFL expert has suggested a few names the Browns should look into.

In his article for Bleacher Report published on Monday, Alex Ballentine wrote that if the offense is to improve, the Browns need to bring in more and better TEs.

He addressed that head coach Todd Monken makes good use of the position and is integral to better production next season. 

“Todd Monken just got done coaching a team that had Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely. He knows how to get two dynamic tight ends involved in the offense,” Ballentine wrote. “Drafting another one might not be at the top of the priority list, but it would help whoever is playing quarterback next season.”

Ballentine had some suggestions. He laid out three options: Ohio State's Max Klare, Stanford's Sam Roush, and Georgia's Oscar Delp. These players are predicted to be Day 3 picks and associated with the Browns. 

In 2025, Roush scored two touchdowns out of 49 receptions for 545 yards. Klare is a close second with two touchdowns from 43 receptions for 448 yards. 

Meanwhile, Delp ended the 2025 season with one touchdown, 20 receptions for 261 yards. 

The Browns are rebuilding their offence from the ground up with younger players. But will they reconsider a seasoned veteran?

Can David Njoku Return To The Browns?

The Browns' offence was one of the worst last year, and they need better players to change their status quo.

Despite the 5-12 record, which was slightly better than 2024's (3-14), Fannin did not leave room for much complaining.

He surpassed Njoku, who ended the 2025 season with 33 receptions out of 48 targets and four TDs in 12 games. He left the Browns after nine seasons and remains an unsigned free agent.

Still franchise-less in the league, a February article by Dan Labbe reported Njoku saying he would like to be a Browns player. However, the odds are against him.

“I do (want to return to Cleveland), but it’s not up to me,” Njoku said.

But the 29-year-old’s history of injuries, including his knee and thermal burns, and Fannin’s stellar performance seem to have shut the Browns’ doors for him.

Now, with two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL draft, the Browns have a chance to rebuild and add fresh legs to such gaps in the roster.

But which new names will join, especially from Ballentine’s suggestions, remains unknown. What is your take? Tell us in the comments.

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote