The Cleveland Browns have a new coach going into the 2026 season. We all know this. Already, changes have been made to the coaching staff as well as the player roster.
The new head man, Todd Monken, is an offensive-minded coach. He is well-known for his ability to rejuvenate an offensive unit and make it one of the league’s best.
When Monken was hired as the OC of the Georgia Bulldogs, they ranked #49 in the nation in offense when he arrived. In his first year, the Bulldogs ranked #9 and averaged 443.1 yards per game. The second season, Georgia’s offense was now ranked #5 in the nation with an average offensive yardage gain of 501.2 per game.
Plus, the Bulldogs won two national championships while Monken was in charge of the offense. Since he left for the NFL as the OC with the Baltimore Ravens, Georgia hasn’t been back to the national championship stage. Meanwhile, in Baltimore, the Ravens went from a #16 offensive ranking to #6 and then became the #1 offense in the league in just two seasons.
At the NFL owners’ meetings recently in Phoenix, each head coach was involved in an interview session encircled by various media outlets. In Monken’s Q&A, he mentioned different offensive schemes such as 12, 21, and 11. He was asked why teams don’t use 21 personnel with the offense any longer, a setup very popular up until the end of the 1990s.
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21 personnel usually consists of two running backs, one tight end, and two receivers. One of the backs can be a fullback. Think Dallas Cowboys in the 1990s with Michael Irvin and Alvin Harper catching passes, Jay Novachek at tight end, and Moose Johnston blocking for Emmitt Smith.
Monken stated that things change mainly because of more mobile quarterbacks. Then, the coach mentioned the backfield situation:
“You don’t see fullbacks because they don’t exist. So, they’re not trained to play fullback. It’s hard to find those guys. In a world of winning quickly, how long do you have to develop a player who isn’t comfortable in that role? You get the point, a lot like they’ve done in the past here, use an offensive lineman in the backfield. Use an offensive lineman as a blocking tight end. You just don’t have those players coming out in the draft anymore.”
Monken was hired away from the Baltimore Ravens, where he was their OC for the past three seasons. Their offensive scheme featured a great running game with a fullback: six-time Pro Bowler Patrick Ricard. Of course, their main running back is Derrick Henry, who each season is ranked as one of the top backs in the league. In 2024, he gained 1,921 yards. Last year, he had 1,595 yards.
Sam La Cavera of the Bearded Browns Podcast stated:
“Monken and company know how to utilize a fullback properly. Most teams have fallen away from the fullback position, usually putting a tight end in that spot. Like in this draft, we need a true left tackle, and we need a true fullback. Whether we sign a free agent FB or draft one late in the draft. I’m all for bringing a fullback back to Browns football.”
Monken hinted that the Browns could be in the market for a fullback:
“It’s not that that’s not good football, I just think that you’re comfortable with what you’ve done. That doesn’t mean that’s right. It’s not about being right, it’s about getting it right. But when you don’t see it, or you’re not around it, you’re not going to run it. I’ve been around pieces of two backs. You just don’t see it as a general rule.”
And in Cleveland’s past, they have employed some superior fullbacks. Both Marion Motley and Jimmy Brown were listed as fullbacks. Cleo Miller. Kevin Mack. Ernie Green. Bo Scott. Mike Pruitt.And Monken wants this new Browns offense to run the ball effectively. Even if that means getting a fullback on the roster and inserting him in this year’s training camp. Monken already has the experience of using a fullback.
“I like the idea of a smash mouth running game with a true fullback bulldozer with legs lead blocking for our running backs.”
But who would be available in this year’s NFL draft? It should be noted that several college fullbacks are now listed as tight ends for the draft process because of the lack of NFL clubs using the position of fullback at the next level. Very few teams actually have a fullback.
Played fullback in college and is now listed as a tight end because of the lack of the position utilized in the NFL. He is a reliable intermediate receiving option who has natural hands with zero drops this past season. Very good YAC and offers alignment versatility. Consistent blocker. Excellent special teams player.
Nowakowski scored the game’s first points in the National Championship Game this year.
The knock on him is that he is the perfect size for a fullback, but undersized when lined up at tight end. He does lack burst coming out of routes, where he struggles against man coverage.