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BEREA ― The Browns keep getting closer to their first full-squad training camp practice. That will take place on July 29, one day after their veterans report.
This continues our Browns training camp preview series looking at each of the team's position groups. This preview takes a look at a relatively young position group anchored by one of their 2025 break-out stars, the tight ends.
Let's dive into the position group that figures to play a big role in coach Todd Monken's offense.
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Fannin was the offensive break-out star of the 2025 season for the Browns. He set a rookie receptions record for the franchise and had the fifth-most receiving yards for any rookie in team history. Fannin dealt with a groin injury that ended his season in Week 17 and prevented him from participating in on-field drills during the offseason program. The ceiling for the Canton native is extremely high, and the Browns need him to continue to climb toward it in his second season. Monken's success with tight ends such as Brock Bowers, Mark Andrew and Isaiah Likely should give reason for optimism for what can happen for Fannin.
The Browns took two tight ends in the draft — Royer in the sixth round and Ryan in the seventh. Royer is the one to focus on here. Originally an Ohio State Buckeye, he returned to his hometown after the death of his mom and played for the Bearcats. That's where he broke out as a receiver, which is where he could find a way onto the field as a rookie. However, the best way onto the field is to continue to grow as an in-line tight end, which is something his position coach at Cincinnati, Joe Stepp, said was a point of emphasis for him during his last year in college. Royer's ability to continue to grow there is directly proportional to the chances he can get on the field.
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Fannin is in his own tier, so the focus will be on how the rest of the room ends up being constructed. Bates and Whiteheart are holdovers from previous seasons, and were the one who were working the most with the first offensive group in the offseason with Fannin sidelined. However, Royer and Ryan were both selected with late-round draft picks, and both at least provide intriguing skill sets that could make them useful as rookies. Then there's Stoll, a veteran free-agent signee who's the definition of a blocking tight end.
Chris Easterling can be reached at [email protected]. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ. Sign up for Browns Insider newsletter at https://profile.beaconjournal.com/newsletters/browns-insider/
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Browns 2026 training camp position preview: Tight ends
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This continues our Browns training camp preview series looking at each of the team's position groups. This preview takes a look at a relatively young position group anchored by one of their 2025 break-out stars, the tight ends.
Let's dive into the position group that figures to play a big role in coach Todd Monken's offense.
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What TEs are on Cleveland Browns' 90-man roster entering 2026 training camp?
- Brendan Bates: 6 games played, 3 starts, 2 catches, 25 yards in 2025
- Harold Fannin Jr.: 16 games played, 13 starts, 72 catches, 731 yards, 6 TDs; 7 carries, 13 yards, 1 TD in 2025
- Joe Royer: At the University of Cincinnati in 2025
- Carsen Ryan: At the Brigham Young University in 2025
- Jack Stoll: 14 games played with New Orleans Saints, 4 starts, 6 catches, 46 yards, 1 TD in 2025
- Blake Whiteheart: 17 games played, 4 starts, 2 catches, 4 yards in 2025
What is main 2026 training camp storyline for Cleveland Browns TEs?
Fannin was the offensive break-out star of the 2025 season for the Browns. He set a rookie receptions record for the franchise and had the fifth-most receiving yards for any rookie in team history. Fannin dealt with a groin injury that ended his season in Week 17 and prevented him from participating in on-field drills during the offseason program. The ceiling for the Canton native is extremely high, and the Browns need him to continue to climb toward it in his second season. Monken's success with tight ends such as Brock Bowers, Mark Andrew and Isaiah Likely should give reason for optimism for what can happen for Fannin.
Cleveland Browns TE to keep an eye on during 2026 training camp
The Browns took two tight ends in the draft — Royer in the sixth round and Ryan in the seventh. Royer is the one to focus on here. Originally an Ohio State Buckeye, he returned to his hometown after the death of his mom and played for the Bearcats. That's where he broke out as a receiver, which is where he could find a way onto the field as a rookie. However, the best way onto the field is to continue to grow as an in-line tight end, which is something his position coach at Cincinnati, Joe Stepp, said was a point of emphasis for him during his last year in college. Royer's ability to continue to grow there is directly proportional to the chances he can get on the field.
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How do Browns TEs emerge from 2026 training camp?
Fannin is in his own tier, so the focus will be on how the rest of the room ends up being constructed. Bates and Whiteheart are holdovers from previous seasons, and were the one who were working the most with the first offensive group in the offseason with Fannin sidelined. However, Royer and Ryan were both selected with late-round draft picks, and both at least provide intriguing skill sets that could make them useful as rookies. Then there's Stoll, a veteran free-agent signee who's the definition of a blocking tight end.
Chris Easterling can be reached at [email protected]. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ. Sign up for Browns Insider newsletter at https://profile.beaconjournal.com/newsletters/browns-insider/
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Browns 2026 training camp position preview: Tight ends
Continue reading...
