The buzz around the Cleveland Browns is building as the 2026 NFL season approaches, and while much of the spotlight has been on the team's exciting rookie class—including first-round pick KC Concepcion and second-rounder Denzel Boston—there's a second-year weapon quietly preparing for a massive breakout. Tight end Harold Fannin Jr., a 2025 third-round selection, is being tipped as the player to watch this season.
In a recent analysis of breakout candidates at every position, PFF's Bradley Locker singled out Fannin as the tight end most likely to thrive in 2026. "With David Njoku heading to the Chargers, Fannin is positioned as the Browns' clear top tight end," Locker wrote. "New head coach Todd Monken has a sturdy track record funneling targets through tight ends in his system, which should benefit the Bowling Green alum."
Fannin's journey to this moment has been anything but ordinary. After a historic 2024 season at Bowling Green State—where he established himself as one of the nation's most dynamic pass-catching tight ends—he surprisingly slipped to the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Browns didn't hesitate to snatch him up, and that decision has already paid dividends.
As a rookie, Fannin exceeded all expectations, finishing the 2025 season with 72 receptions for 731 yards and six touchdowns. At just 21 years old, he not only claimed the TE1 role from veteran David Njoku but also led the Browns in receiving yards, touchdowns, and catches. Now, with Njoku's departure to the Los Angeles Chargers, Fannin's path to stardom is clearer than ever.
What makes Fannin such a compelling breakout candidate? Beyond the numbers, Locker highlighted the tight end's underrated efficiency in yards per route run and his impressive separation rate against single coverage. "As a rookie in Cleveland, Fannin put his elite receiving acumen on display with a 76.4 PFF receiving grade and 1.68 yards per route run," Locker noted. Those are the kind of metrics that suggest Fannin isn't just a flash in the pan—he's a foundational piece of the Browns' offensive future.
For Browns fans, the 2026 season is shaping up to be a thrilling ride, and Fannin is poised to be one of its biggest stories. Whether you're stocking up on your game-day gear or just looking for a new favorite player to follow, keep an eye on No. 88. This could be the year he becomes a household name.