Harold Fannin Jr., Cleveland Browns, Round 3, Pick 67
The Cleveland Browns took Harold Fannin Jr. in the 3rd round with the 67th overall pick.
Fantasy Football Impact
Harold Fannin Jr. is no doubt an athlete. As a junior, he set the all-time single-season college record for tight ends with 1,555 receiving yards. On top of that, he put up double-digit touchdowns and over 115 receptions. He averaged an impressive 7.5 yards after the catch per reception and forced the most missed tackles among all college tight ends. He can play inside, in the slot, out wide, and in the backfield. This athleticism, versatility, and production promote extreme fantasy football upside. However, his relatively stiff running style and small school background raise serious concerns. He may not translate at the next level.
The Browns also present an intriguing landing spot. Fannin's first year may be relatively subdued since David Njoku is a capable tight end and remains on the roster. However, the contract situation suggests that Njoku will be gone by 2026, leaving the tight end job open for Fannin. Additionally, the Browns will likely bring in a promising new quarterback around that time, which could raise the production levels of this offense. While the current situation may seem unusual and not promote early production, Fannin's long-term outlook could be bright. His red flags indicate volatility, but his upside, due to his athleticism and versatility, makes him worth a late second-round rookie pick.
The Fantasy Football Fallout
David Njoku will not appreciate this news, and neither should his fantasy managers. Fannin is likely to take at least a small portion of the snaps and the target share this year, which limits Njoku's ceiling in fantasy. The Browns have indicated they are planning for life after the 28-year-old veteran. If he loses his spot on the Browns roster, which is very possible, as I mentioned earlier, it's uncertain that Njoku will remain relevant in fantasy football.
The wide receiver room now potentially has serious long-term competition. Fannin controlled Bowling Green's offense last season, displaying the ability to take on a massive target share and be the clear-cut first target in an offense. It would not be shocking if he can bring similar things into the NFL, meaning Jerry Jeudy and other wideouts for Cleveland may lose targets if Fannin ends up being a hit.
The quarterback who ultimately starts for Cleveland could benefit from having Fannin on the team. He is known for gaining yards after the catch, making things much easier for the quarterback.
Stock Watch
Risers
- Cleveland's quarterback
- Harold Fannin Jr.
Fallers
Overview
Harold Fannin Jr. is an athletic and productive tight end from Bowling Green with some question marks. The day two investment is nice, but the landing spot with Cleveland is questionable for early production. His initial fantasy impact might be limited due to Njoku's presence. Still, the long-term outlook appears promising, with Njoku's contract situation suggesting Fannin could become the primary tight end after the 2025 season. He could also potentially benefit from a future Browns quarterback. This news negatively impacts Njoku's and potentially the wide receivers' target share. Fannin's ability to gain yards after the catch is a positive for the team's future quarterback, as he will make their job easier.
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