Tight ends and the Browns at NFL combine 2020: What you need to know

Browns tight end David Njoku kicks at a pass in pregame warmup

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku kicks at a pass in pregame warmup at Paul Brown Stadium.cleveland.com

INDIANAPOLIS – David Njoku was the Browns’ second-leading receiver in 2018, totaling 56 catches for 639 yards and four touchdowns. But a year later, the Browns were a mess at tight end.

Njoku missed most of the season due to injury and had just five catches. Four other tight ends combined for just 36.

With the Browns at the NFL combine this week looking at potential draft prospects, it’s unclear where tight ends are on their priority list.

Here’s a closer look at where the Browns stand at tight end, and what the combine and draft have to offer:

Who the Browns have now

Njoku and Stephen Carlson are the only tight ends on the roster not headed toward some sort of free agency. Ricky Seals-Jones, who had 14 catches and four touchdowns last season, is a restricted free agent, and Pharaoh Brown, mostly used as a blocker, is an exclusive rights free agent.

Demetrius Harris (15 catches, three TDs last season) was included in GM Andrew Berry’s first round of cuts on Feb. 17.

Urgency of the Browns' need

The urgency depends on how you view Njoku.

The Browns were hoping the 2017 first-round pick would take a leap forward in his third season, not just as a pass catcher, but as a run blocker as well. But a wrist injury cost him 10 games, and then he struggled to get back on the field over the final four weeks. Andrew Berry was part of the front office that drafted Njoku, so perhaps that works in his favor.

As for Carlson, Brown and Seals-Jones, Kevin Stefanski uses multiple tight ends in his offense, which means the Browns will need multiple bodies at the position. Not only did tight ends Irv Smith Jr. and Kyle Rudolph each have at least 39 catches last season, they both were asked to run block at least 296 times.

So it’s hard to imagine the Browns won’t be kicking the tires on tight ends this offseason.

How strong is the TE group in NFL Draft 2020?

This year’s tight end class pales in comparison to last year’s, when two went in the first round and eight were drafted in the first three rounds. Also, this 2020 group is heavy on pass catchers and light on run blockers. Or, in other words, a lot of tight ends similar to what the Browns already have in Njoku.

Top 5 TEs in NFL Draft 2020

Brycen Hopkins, 6-5, 245, Purdue, second-round projection: Hopkins’ athleticism sets him apart, and he can get down the field as well as any of his peers. However, he doesn’t break many tackles, and his blocking needs work.

Albert Okwuegbunam, 6-5, 255, Missouri, third-round projection: Okwuegbunam was one of the most productive tight ends in the country in 2018 with Drew Lock throwing to him. He has a big catch radius and is dangerous in the red zone.

Hunter Bryant, 6-2, 241, Washington, third-round projection: Bryant looks like a wide receiver and has produced like one (52 catches, 825 yards in 2019). However, he lacks the size to contribute as a blocker.

Cole Kmet, 6-6, 255, Notre Dame, fourth-round projection: Kmet is one of the most complete tight ends in the draft class, able to run a full route tree and provide decent blocking help.

Colby Parkinson, 6-7, 240, Stanford, fourth-round projection: Parkinson has a huge catch radius and his height makes him dangerous in the red zone.

Best of the rest

Jared Pinkney, Vanderbilt, projected 4th-rounder; Thaddeus Moss, LSU, (4th); Adam Trautman, Dayton (4th); Jacob Breeland, Oregon (5th); Stephen Sullivan, LSU (5th).

What they'll be doing

Today: Interviews from 8-9 a.m. Also, medical exams, psychological testing.

Wednesday: Bench press, team interviews, psychological testing.

Thursday: Team interviews, on-field workouts from 4-11 p.m. on NFL Network.

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