Cleveland Browns: 2018 Tight end preview

Little was done to the Cleveland Browns tight end group, so the expectation is the players there will step up in the 2018 season, which could be big for this offense.

The Cleveland Browns have an up and coming tight end group and 2018 will be a big opportunity to show it off. This position group had the quietest offseason of any group on offense, opting to simply add veteran Darren Fells to replace Randall Telfer. Other than that, they are counting on the growth of their young, talented tight ends in David Njoku and Seth DeValve. Hopefully, the Browns will return the favor and get them the ball more this season.

One of the biggest frustrations with the 2017 season was an unwillingness to put Njoku and DeValve on the field at the same time by the coaching staff. Often counting on street free agent receivers to produce instead, the Browns had talent they simply refused to employ. Additionally, when the Browns threw the ball to Njoku and DeValve, they were often rewarded.

Some of their lack of use was a clueless rookie quarterback who missed wide open opportunities. Nevertheless, they had remarkably athletic, over-sized receivers that were almost never on the field at the same time.

Being a rookie tight end is one of the more difficult transitions in the NFL and Njoku had his share of struggles. That didn’t stop him from setting a number of rookie records for the Browns as a tight end. He also improved as an inline blocker as the season moved along, which is critical to his overall development.

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If Njoku can consistently line up inline and block, it opens up opportunities for the Browns in the running and playaction passing game. He should still be utilized in space and occasionally even out wide to create mismatch opportunities, but being able to do all of it just adds to his utility. If Njoku never blocks, he can be a great player for the Browns and there are certainly tight ends who have had great careers who fit into this category. But if he can add that to his game, it just makes him far more valuable.

DeValve will never be able to play inline on a consistent basis. He just doesn’t have the length for it. DeValve’s utilized in space, as a wing and H-back. He’s not a great blocker but he actually got better on the move, particularly as a wham blocker, sealing defensive ends off from running plays.

Both Njoku and DeValve can be used in the slot as oversized receivers. And should be, be it short yardage, jumbo packages or in the red zone. That hopefully forces opponents to play bigger personnel, so they can then beat them with their athleticism.

Darren Fells is here to do nothing but block. He’s got the size and length that’s ideal to help reach block and hold up against edge defenders at 6-7, 270 pounds. If the Browns go with multiple tight ends, having Fells and Njoku inline, the Browns have a good jumbo package and if defenses are worried about everyone else, Fells might find himself catching a pass or two because he’s left wide open.

Unless someone really impresses in training camp, the Browns appear poised to just carry three active tight ends again this year. Devon Cajuste is currently on their roster and he’s another space tight end with athleticism. Unless he or someone else they bring in frankly really impresses, it seems unlikely they’ll keep another one, opting to save space for an extra receiver or lineman. Short of an injury, Njoku, DeValve and Fells seem to be their guys.

Njoku could realistically double his production from last year. His own development is key to this, but just featuring him more and having a quarterback able to find him when he’s wide open will help. His size and speed are a problem for defenses in addition to showing ability in the red zone.

DeValve is a candidate to get lost in the fold, though he shouldn’t. He’s got good hands and is athletic, but because of weapons added elsewhere, he might be more of a bit player than a featured one. DeValve is in his third year and could be coming into his own this season, so if he has a great camp, he might force this staff to change how they utilize him, but at least on paper, there are a lot of mouths to feed on offense.

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The group may not have changed much, but the impact of this tight end group should be a notable one for the Cleveland Browns in 2018. Investments made in the past and further focusing roles this year should enable them to be a far more productive unit, both in the passing and running game. Njoku will be the focus and he should be as the group will largely be judged on what he does this season. He’s got the talent to deliver the goods and this season could be his coming out party.