Cleveland Browns: How big of a role will E.J. Bibbs have?

Although a standout player at Iowa State, current Cleveland Browns tight end E.J. Bibbs came into the league as a seldom-discussed undrafted free agent with limited athleticism. Bibbs seemed like an afterthought as a mere member of the Browns group of tight ends behind athletic free-agent flier Rob Housler, but the 24-year-old has quickly become a possible factor for the Browns offense on the strength of his promising play this offseason.

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After flashing a bit at minicamp, Bibbs has been one of the quiet UDFA standouts of the preseason. Not only has he forced more missed tackles (six) than any other pass-catcher, but he’s also caught every single target thrown at him, as per Pro Football Focus.

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In the Browns first preseason game against the Washington Redskins, Bibbs put up three receptions for 29 yards on three targets with 31 yards after the catch. So, yes, the Iowa State rookie had more YAC than he had receiving yards in his first game, which is pretty darn impressive. Of course, that’s because Bibbs isn’t a traditional tight end, but rather an H-Back who can function as either an “F” TE or fullback.

Against the Buffalo Bills in Week 2, Bibbs was targeted just twice, according to PFF, but he caught both of those passes for 14 yards, with 12 of those coming after the catch, meaning that he’s had exactly as many receiving yards as yard after the catch this preseason.

Tight end is a tricky position to transition to, and Bibbs’s added rawness as an in-line blocker will prevent him from making Housler, who is more athletic and experienced, expendable. That said, Housler has been quite disappointing this offseason for the Browns, showing nothing that would prove Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians wrong for barely utilizing him. In fact, the Browns have listed Housler as a third-string tight end- a designation that, by the way, hasn’t changed- and he’s been making more headlines for his drops than for his 6’5″, 250-pound frame and uncanny speed.

There are those, such as the Akron Beach Journal’s finely tuned-in Nate Ulrich, who believe that Housler’s roster spot is being challenged by Bibbs’s rise. If Bibbs outplays Housler in the team’s Week 3 dress rehearsal game, then maybe it’s time to consider him a real cut candidate. I haven’t heard a single beat writer rave about Housler’s work in training camp, which is especially concerning for a player whose value is based entirely on the potential that his physical tools would give him in a change of scenery.

Moving to the Browns apparently hasn’t ignited a spark for Housler, leaving tight end snaps available for E.J. Bibbs to pounce on. He projects better as more of an H-Back as a rookie, but, again, the Browns could end up trying him at tight end if they feel like he is indeed the better option. That remains to be seen, but there’s little doubt that Bibbs is paving a road to a role in the offense.

Gary Barnidge and Jim Dray bring nothing to the table for the Browns outside of their blocking, so if Housler continues to disappoint and is on the outs, then Bibbs becomes the “move” tight end. Presumably, he would be the team’s leader in targets at the position, and, so far this offseason, he’s only impressed whenever the team has decided to dump the ball off to him. He hasn’t shown that he can be more than a niche receiver, but, well, he’s done more in that role as a YAC and missed tackle monster with size than any of the tight ends on the roster have done in any role this offseason.

I’m not a big believer in Bibbs as a starter, since he’s slow, hasn’t impressed as a blocker this preseason, and just doesn’t seem athletic enough to be more than a role player as an H-Back. But the tape speaks for itself, as do the missed tackles forced. I

think the Cleveland Browns need to hold onto Housler in case, but there’s no denying the fact that Bibbs has outplayed him this preseason and has earned praise from the coaching staff. At the end of the day, that could be enough for him, especially since he does have the frame and overall skill-set to be a good blocker, particularly when lead-blocking as an H-Back.

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