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Browns Set To Host Former Texas Tight End
Harrison Bryant moved to the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason, leaving the second-string tight end spot up for grabs in Cleveland. If the Browns decide to select a tight end in the 2024 NFL Draft, then they may have a specific target in mind.
The pre-draft visit tracker is continuously getting updates this time of year and Tuesday once again brought more top-30 visit news involving the Browns.
According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, former Texas tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders will be visiting the Browns this week.
Sanders is a highly regarded tight end prospect in this year's class and his visit to Cleveland is not all that surprising. Harrison Bryant signed with the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency, leaving an opening for the backup spot behind David Njoku in Cleveland.
On the current depth chart, seven-year NFL vet Jordan Akins is the backup to Njoku with new free agent signing Giovanni Ricci behind Akins.
Ricci was brought in due to his versatility between tight end and fullback. With Nick Harris and Bryant gone, Ricci's value is evident. Both he and Akins may need to "bring it" during training camp if they want to make the 53-man roster though. The potential of upgrading at the position is most certainly not out of the question.
Sanders is most successful when lined up inline. As a receiver, he is a major threat in the middle of the field due to his sneaky illusiveness, precision as a route runner and ability to catch in traffic. Despite his sturdy frame, his blocking skills could use improvement. He will need to become a reliable blocker in order to increase his value on every down in the NFL. If the Browns do decide to add Sanders then he may be utilized similar to how the Texans use Brevin Jordan. He may not get a high volume of targets but will be able to pick up chunk yardage when he does get the football.
Texas Longhorns tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders is stopped by BYU Cougars cornerback Jakob Robinson.
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Sanders is my 83rd ranked prospect overall and my fourth ranked tight end in this class. Brock Bowers will be selected on night one but in my opinion, the rest of this tight end class may not see any action until the beginning of the third round. If Sanders happens to be available at pick 85, then that would be pretty solid value at that pick for the Browns.
Ja'Tavion Sanders is reportedly not the only tight end that the Browns have brought in for a visit recently. Former Iowa Hawkeye and Michigan Wolverine Erick All is the other tight end prospect to step foot in the Browns' training facility recently. All is my 231st overall prospect and 12th ranked tight end. He should be available when the Browns are selecting in the fifth round, potentially even the sixth round, if the team is unable to land Sanders earlier in the draft.
I would not be surprised to learn about one or two other tight ends visiting the Cleveland Browns this week.
