Jordan

Cameron

Reporter Wes Bunting seconds an earlier report from NFL.com that said Cameron could go as early as round three. A very impressive athlete and former basketball player, Cameron sounds like the kind of prospect Raiders owner Al Davis would be loath to pass up.

Cameron, a college basketball player, managed just six catches in eight rookie appearances. “The guy that looks way different is Jordan Cameron,” Shurmur said. “Oh, gosh -- the size -- and he’s had a great offseason. He’s a guy that hadn’t played much football, so I think he’ll make a big improvement this year.”

An increase in snaps for the receiving tight ends would be traced to the team’s upgrade at right tackle (Mitchell Schwartz). This would free up the tight ends from pass blocking, meaning more Moore/Cameron and less Alex Smith. Ben Watson is the favorite to lead the unit in snaps, but is not on the fantasy radar.

At this point, all serious injuries should be season-ending. Smith has 14 catches for 131 yards as the Browns’ No. 3 tight end this year. With Ben Watson (concussions) also done, rookie Jordan Cameron should back up Evan Moore in the final two games.

Ben Watson is in the final year of his contract, and the Browns envision Cameron, not Evan Moore, as his eventual replacement. Cameron managed just six catches in eight appearances last season. Moore is returning as the part-time, “move” tight end.

Watson will be 32 in December, but he continues to hold off Evan Moore and Jordan Cameron. The three figure to rotate based on situations, with Moore and Cameron contributing more in passing spots. Fantasy owners can find better situations for their TE2.

Moore opened camp on the active/non-football injury list for undisclosed reasons. He’s yet to participate in any camp practices. Moore and Cameron are similar players; basketball types who struggle in the running game. Cameron has been picking up first-team reps in two-tight end sets opposite Ben Watson.

Although Cameron has impressed in the no-pads/no contact setting of OTA practices, beat writer Steve Doerschuk notes that “no one ever saw what the Browns need from him while he was transitioning from basketball to football at USC.” All potential to this point, Cameron will have to prove in training camp that his offseason growth is not a fluke.

Moore missed the first week of camp with an undisclosed injury, allowing Jordan Cameron and Alex Smith the depth chart. With an impressive start to camp, the athletic Cameron isn’t likely to cede the No. 2 spot the rest of the month.

The former college basketball player always had the size and athleticism. He’s now showing improved technique, specifically in footwork and hand placement as a blocker. “You have to be able to do more than one thing for us to throw you the football,” Shurmur said. “I think that’s one of the things he’s focused on quite a bit and he’s getting better.” We love Cameron as a speculative buy or waiver addition in Dynasty leagues.