Dawgs By Nature
The Cleveland Browns had a rough year on the offensive side of the ball. The defense, however, remained a force in the league. They ranked #3 in pass defense and #4 overall.
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The offense was a train wreck. In almost every game, the first drive was a thing of beauty and mostly ended with some sort of points. From that point on, the run game failed, the offensive line could not keep out defenders, sacks increased, interceptions went up, and points scored were minimal.
The Browns’ offense ranked #30 in the league. The passing offense was led by two rookie quarterbacks and ranked #31. The rushing game finished at #27. Scoring offense ranked #31.
There were silver linings. A few.
LG Joel Bitonio had another banner year and was the only offensive lineman to play all 17 games. Cleveland used seven different combinations along the offensive line. Going down the stretch, the Browns used two backups and two practice squad players as starters.
The run game had its moments led by rookie RB Quinshon Judkins, who became injured in Week 14 and then was placed on IR, but made the NFL All-Rookie Team. After that, the offense bogged down with the rushing attack. The receiver room was a complete bust and a huge disappointment. The quarterback situation never became solved.
That left the tight end group. Blake Whiteheart was used mainly as another offensive lineman with his blocking skills. Rookie Harold Fannin had an exceptional year and was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team. Veteran David Njoku had a roller coaster for a season.
Njoku is known for being injured frequently. In fact, in his nine-year NFL career, he has had one season in which he played the entire year without incident. That season, 2023, he earned his first and only Pro Bowl nod. That proved that if he was able to participate in a complete season, perhaps he would become a Pro Bowl staple, but instead, he misses games every year.
In 2022, he inked a four-year extension worth $56.75 million. This season, his cap hit was $11.4 million. His production? 33 receptions on 48 targets, 293 yards, 11 first down conversions, an 8.9 yards per catch average, four touchdowns, zero rushes, 160 YAC.
That’s $38,908 per catch. $2.85 million per touchdown reception. $1.037 million for every first down he converted.
Njoku’s contract has run out. There haven’t been any reports of Browns GM Andrew Berry attempting to re-sign him. Nothing is being leaked or discussed about Njoku being on the roster in 2026 and beyond.
Fannin’s production this season was exceptional. The former leading receptions and yardage leader in the nation of college football, Fannin played 16 games. That in itself screams durability. In Week 17, he suffered a groin injury and could have played the final game against the Cincinnati Bengals and was limited in practices during the week, but the coaching staff held him out since the game didn’t mean anything....
