Harrison

Bryant

Bryant, a highly productive college tight end who flashed in limited opportunity for the Browns, will be paired with Michael Mayer in 2024. A sure-handed, somewhat speedy player with after-the-catch ability, it wouldn’t be shocking if Bryant became the team’s primary pass-catching tight end. He posted 89/791/10 over four years in Cleveland.

Bryant saw a green zone target early in the game but was tackled short of the goal line and made his present felt with a 47-yard catch-and-run behind the linebackers, highlighting his elite athleticism in the process. The soon to be free agent tight end could find more room to flash his athleticism if he gets out from behind David Njoku this offseason.

Bryant essentially operated as the Browns’ third receiving option once Amari Cooper left the game with a concussion. Joe Flacco was able to have a lot of success on play action, which allowed Bryant to get open over the middle of the field a few times today, including on his touchdown grab. Bryant is still operating behind David Njoku, but the Browns have a pretty thin receiving corps, so Bryant could emerge as a TE2 option if Cooper were to miss any time and Flacco were to remain under center.

Bryant got a few reps in the red zone and made the most of them with a score in the fourth quarter to seal Cincinanti’s fate. Byrant isn’t on the fantasy radar but his red zone usage could result in a few frustrating weeks for fantasy managers counting on the more notable skill position players in Cleveland.

“Bryant isn’t especially dynamic in the pass game or a powerful blocker, but he’s proven to be a capable NFL player,” Jackson notes. This does not portend especially well for Bryant’s NFL future entering the final year of his rookie deal. The former fourth-round pick has finished between 233 and 239 receiving yards on the season in all three of his years in the NFL. If he’s behind Akins, Bryant is not a lock to make the roster.

20 is a number third-year pro Bryant bettered only two times all year. Even with David Njoku battling injury off and on, Bryant never stepped up for a spiked week in the Browns’ offense. Heading into the final year of his rookie contract, Bryant shouldn’t be expected to take a re-draft step forward in 2023. If he has any upside left, it will be as a “second team/second contract” tight end flier, a not-uncommon tight end career arc.

In seven starts this year, Bryant has cracked 40 receiving yards twice and delivered one touchdown. You can probably do better on the streamer wire even if David Njoku isn’t back next week.

Harrison Bryant will operate as the Browns’ No. 1 tight end this week against the Texans. Bryant managed seven receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown in two games with Njoku out with a separate knee injury in November. Bryant is a decent streaming option in 12-team leagues.

Njoku, dealing with a new knee injury, hasn’t practiced this week and probably won’t suit up against Houston. Harrison Bryant should take over as Cleveland’s main pass-catching tight end with Njoku out. Bryant has seven catches for 56 yards and a touchdown in two games without Njoku last month. He should be considered a desperation streaming option against the Texans.

David Njoku returned from his high-ankle sprain in this game but wasn’t given his typical role. He saw just three looks while Bryant set a season-high in targets. However, Bryant gave the Browns a reason to get Njoku more reps at his expensive in this game when he dropped a would-be touchdown in the first half. With Njoku likely to see an increased role next week, fantasy managers shouldn’t chase this performance.