The Cleveland Browns landed one of the biggest – if not the biggest – steals of the 2025 NFL Draft. Watching Harold Fannin Jr. fall to the third round was a surprise, to say the least, and the other 31 teams might be punching the air right now.<\/p>\n
While there were some valid concerns about his lack of high-end competition in college, Fannin’s tape was just mesmerizing. His record-breaking numbers were impressive, but his physical traits and skill set were otherworldly.<\/p>\n
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The Browns got Fannin involved in the passing game early and often as a rookie. And now that David Njoku is leaving in free agency<\/a>, former Browns QB Brian Hoyer believes that Fannin can follow the footsteps of the legendary Antonio Gates.<\/p>\n “The thing that makes me feel confident is I thought Harold Fannin Jr. is a star in the making. I think he’s like an Antonio Gates, but a little faster. They’re the same kind of player. You can now make Fannin the primary target,” Hoyer said on 92.3 The Fan<\/a>.<\/p>\n Brian Hoyer believes Harold Fannin Jr. can be the next Antonio Gates<\/p>\n Gates was ahead of his time. He paved the way for guys like Rob Gronkowski, Travis Kelce, or Brock Bowers in a time when tight ends weren’t featured as primary pass catchers as often as they are nowadays.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n His numbers would’ve been insane in today’s game, which is perhaps why he’s often overlooked and underrated. Having Fannin draw comparisons to a Hall of Famer speaks volumes about his talent and potential in this league.<\/p>\n Todd Monken has often favored tight ends in the passing game, and Fannin was, by far, the best and most reliable weapon in the Browns’ ever-struggling offense last season. Now, without Njoku in the picture, he’s about to feast<\/a> in a much-improved passing game.<\/p>\n Even if the Browns get a wide receiver or two <\/a>in the offseason (which they absolutely should) there’s no reason to believe they can’t build their passing game <\/a>around the second-year pro out of Bowling Green.<\/p>\n He’s got some of the strongest hands in the game, and his ability to pile up yards after the catch is second to none. He’s a big-play waiting to happen and is untacklable in the open field once he gets an inch of space.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Of course, losing a beloved and respected leader like Njoku will sting, but the Browns have a young man with the potential to be the best tight end of his generation.<\/p>\n