Browns TE Harold Fannin was held out of Saturday's preseason game, alongside QB Joe Flacco, WR Jerry Jeudy, TE David Njoku and a bunch of other presumed starters. "All are primed for starting or significant roles," ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi tweeted.
There was a similar note on Fannin from The Athletic's Zac Jackson earlier this week: "Fannin is going to line up all over the formation, and he’s absolutely going to be involved in the offense."
Jackson's note is particularly relevant because he wrote in mid-June that Fannin is “considered more of a long-term project than an immediate contributor.” The rookie has clearly changed some minds since then.
Fannin is coming off a historic 2024 season, setting FBS single-season TE records with 117 catches and 1,555 receiving yards. His 60% Dominator Rating (share of his team's receiving yards and TDs) was the second-highest mark from a TE since at least 2004, behind only Trey McBride.
Fannin tested as a mediocre athlete and looks a bit clunky on tape, but you don't put up those kind of numbers if you can't play.
Fannin lined up in the slot or out wide for 57.9% of his pass routes last year, and it sounds like he's in line to play a similar role for the Browns. That means he's competing for snaps with guys like Cedric Tillman, Jamari Thrash, and Diontae Johnson more than TE David Njoku.
There's room for Fannin to push for a top-four spot in this passing game this year -- although he'd likely need to be top three to have a realistic chance at bankable fantasy value.
Fannin is still only worth picking at the very end of best-ball drafts right now. But he'll be a name to monitor in lineup-setting leagues early this season.
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