Harold Fannin Jr. was already in line for a big role on the Cleveland Browns’ offense this season, with the tight end even mentioned as the potential centerpiece of the attack. Now, after developments during training camp, Fannin has become even more important.
The Browns emerged from NFL cutdown day very thin at the position, with only Blake Whiteheart and seventh-round rookie Carsen Ryan on the 53-man roster with Fannin. After leading the team in receptions, yards, and touchdown catches last season, the 22-year-old could easily do so again.
Heading toward Week 1, Fannin has been included on an impressive NFL list, with CBS Sports naming him as the Browns’ representative on its 2026 Survivor Squad.
“Fannin racked up 72 catches for 731 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie, and he was one of only two reasonable candidates for this squad from the Browns’ roster. He might not have as big a season this year because Cleveland added KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston, but he’s still likely to be one of the more productive tight ends in the league,” Jared Dubin wrote.
The exercise attempts to build the best 32-man roster using one representative from each NFL team. It includes coaches and players and does not allow for repeat selections from previous years.
Fannin is one of two tight ends, along with fellow second-year player Colston Loveland of the Chicago Bears. Loveland was the No. 10 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, while Fannin was a third-round pick, No. 67 overall.
Punter Corey Bojorquez was the Browns’ selection on this team last year. Previous selections were guard Joel Bitonio, tackle Jack Conklin, running back Nick Chubb, defensive end Myles Garrett, and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.
After surpassing David Njoku last season, Fannin was expected to be complemented this year by fifth-round draft pick Joe Royer. A player who broke Travis Kelce’s single-season record for receptions as a tight end at the University of Cincinnati, Royer was seen as a potential key pick for head coach Todd Monken in his preferred two-tight-end sets.
But Royer was absent for all of training camp for undisclosed personal reasons, and he has been placed on the reserve/non-football illness list. He is designated to return, but based on the way his situation has played out this summer, there is no guarantee when that might be.
So, almost all of the tight end targets will likely be headed Fannin’s way, and the potential Pro Bowler should be able to make the most of those opportunities.
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