Cleveland Browns: Grading Rob Housler Signing

The Cleveland Browns had arguably the worst tight end situation in the NFL after Jordan Cameron decided to join forces with Ryan Tannehill, Bill Lazor, and the Miami Dolphins. That left the Browns with total blocking TEs Jim Dray and Gary Barnidge as the their top guys on the depth chart, which is just downright unacceptable. The Browns weren’t going to give their 2015 starter that haul of players to work with at TE, but the free agent market wasn’t exactly rich with talent at the position either.

Former Arizona Cardinals tight end Rob Housler earned interest from the Atlanta Falcons before they opted to sign Jacob Tamme and Tony Moeaki, but he still received looks from three AFC North teams in the Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, and Browns. There’s no doubt that the Ravens and Browns desperately needed TE help, and the Ravens even somewhat laughably stated that TE is a bigger need for them than WR.

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While the Ravens would have been a good fit for Housler and have a much more stable quarterback situation, Housler signed a one-year, $1.76 million contract with the Browns yesterday. He’ll land a $750,000 from his new employers after likely reducing his asking price, and it’s not surprising to see that the Browns ended up with the uber-athletic flier.

Not only did they have a massive need at the position, but they’re also in a better position to give him more money. Moreover, there’s even less competition for him to deal with in Cleveland than in Baltimore, because the Ravens have second-year pro Crockett Gillmore, who is an intriguing player in his own right. Meanwhile, the Browns literally have nobody else capable of being a threat in the passing game, though we can’t rule out a top tight end in this year’s class (hopefully they can snag WR DeVante Parker, since that would be most helpful).

Housler was supposed to be the next big thing in Arizona when Ken Whisenhunt was the head man, but his career-high for receptions was just 45. Worse yet, he averaged just 9.3 yards per reception in Whisenhunt’s final year on the job, so that was it for Housler, as Bruce Arians had no interest in making him a part of the offense, signing John Carlson in the 2013 offseason and giving the less talented TE the brunt of the targets.

Cameron is one of the NFL’s most athletic tight ends and had an amazing breakout 2013 season before injuries caused his 2014 season to be a lost cause. Although it’s not likely, it’s still possible for Housler to have a Cameron-like breakout campaign, because he is 6’5″, 248 pounds and can run the forty in under 4.6 seconds. This is a guy who never got a chance with the Cardinals when they actually had a QB, because he spent his 2012 season catching passes from panicked like QBs Kevin Kolb and Ryan Lindley, who both had even less of a chance of success while throwing behind the NFL’s worst line at the time.

Basically, Housler was never given a fair shake to break out in Arizona, and even though the Browns current QB depth chart is nothing to write home about, their offense is infinitely better than the incompetent unit the Cardinals embarrassingly trotted out in 2012. I mean, even Larry Fitzgerald had just 798 receiving yards (the lowest of his career without including his 58-catch rookie season) and Michael Floyd 45 receptions.

At 27, Rob Housler has breakout potential in him due to his size and athletic ability, but even if he doesn’t reach his upside, this is still a good deal for the Browns. His career-high of 45 receptions is higher than Dray’s 43 receptions in his past two seasons and Barndige’s 44 career receptions in six.

Nov 24, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals tight end Rob Housler (84) against the Indianapolis Colts at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

With just $1.76 million set to come his way in 2015, Housler is a relative bargain, especially since he’s locked in as a No. 2 TE with legitimate No. 1 TE upside due to his athletic tools.

Since it’s a one-year deal, there’s not much risk here, and the Browns won’t lose much of anything financially whilst making a much-needed, “veteran” upgrade.

While Housler has experience in this league and is technically safer than a rookie, he also has more upside than your average 27-year-old TE who spent his first four seasons as a mediocre player in Arizona.

If he can become more consistent and actually generate targets in the Cleveland Browns offense, then there’s a chance we could be talking about this deal as a steal. As it stands right now, Housler gives the Browns a much-needed upgrade, and their TE depth chart is no longer bereft of any sort of pass-catching talent; that’s a big win in my book.

Final Grade: A-

Next: Seven-Round Mock for the Browns

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