Sal

Cannella

Cannella had a four-target game against the Steelers in Week 17 after Harold Fannin left early due to a groin injury, catching two balls for 11 yards. The 29-year-old UFL star is merely a depth piece.

Fannin re-aggravated a groin injury he suffered late last week in Sunday’s win over the Steelers. The rookie tight end said he will undergo further testing before determining his Week 18 availability, but if he’s unable to go, the Browns will likely be looking at Blake Whiteheart and Sal Cannella as their top two tight ends in the season finale.

Cannella thrived in the UFL over the last two seasons, but didn’t produce enough in the preseason to justify a roster spot; at least to the Browns. Along with Cannella, Cleveland also waived CB Chigozie Anusiem, G Javion Cohen, T Sebastian Gutierrez, DE K.J. Henry, DT Ralph Holley, CB Christian Holmes, CB Keenan Isaac, T Jason Ivey, DE Titus Leo, LB Marvin Moody, CB Darius Rush, LB Charlie Thomas III, T Lorenzo Thompson, G Dartanyan Tinsley, TE Mitchell Van Vooren and C Bucky Williams.

In each of the last two UFL seasons, Cannella has finished top six across all positions in targets, receptions and yards, most recently catching 44-of-57 targets for 470 yards and one touchdown. He averaged 1.61 yards per route run. The 28-year-old Cannella should not be expected to regularly score fantasy points this season. He was likely signed to provide reliable receiving depth behind David Njoku. Should Njoku miss time, Cannella could make for a viable streamer should he secure the No. 2 tight end role. The Browns released TE Tre’ McKitty in a corresponding move.

Cannella has been a standout tight end for the UFL’s Arlington Renegades. He totaled 496 yards and a league-leading six touchdowns over five games for the Renegades during the 2024 UFL regular season. Cannella was targeted on 21 percent of his routes, a strong rate for a tight end. The former Auburn product has had tryouts for other NFL teams, including the Packers. He likely wouldn’t see much playing time behind Juwan Johnson and Taysom Hill if he makes the New Orleans roster.

The Packers also worked out TE Sal Cannella, OT Airon Servais, and CB Bryce Watts. With Julio Jones and Will Fuller still out there, trying out Brown is as underwhelming as it gets. Green Bay may just be looking for an extra camp body, as Brown wasn’t much more than that last year. He started the 2021 offseason with Las Vegas, but couldn’t crack their final roster. He then spent time with the Broncos, Jags, and Bucs. Despite the Packers’ thin receiving room, Brown is a long-shot to make their roster if he signs in Green Bay.

Cannella (6'4/242) did not receive a combine invitation, but less than a week after festivities in Indianapolis wrapped, he was able to put in his own testing results in pro day work. In addition to the 4.73-second 40-yard dash, Cannella posted jumps of 33.5 inches (vertical) and 9-foot-4 (broad). He also logged 20 reps on the bench press. While Cannella played receiver at Auburn, he profiles as a future tight end should he latch on in the pros this spring.

Cannella (6'5/232) caught a 37-yard touchdown pass from Bo Nix midway through the second quarter. On fourth down, at that. That wound up the junior’s only grab of the contest. Cannella registered a 10-188-2 receiving line across eight games played for the 2019 campaign.

The 6-foot-5, 225-pounder is the No. 36 overall JUCO prospect in the ESPN JC 50. “Confident pass catcher with good hands and ability to extend and catch ball away from frame,” ESPN noted in a scouting report. “Displays good concentration and flashes ability to use frame to shield defenders. Displays adequate body control. Solid route runner that can use some savvy to find openings and create some separation.” Cannella is more pass-catcher than fully-formed TE. He should fit nicely in Auburn’s spread offense.

Cannella (6'5/225) was working with the wide receivers group during the three open-media practice windows last week. Writes Ferguson, “Cannella looks smooth as a natural receiver, and (OC) Chip Lindsey commented on the ‘edge’ he brings to the position. While he lined up with the first team on the outside last Monday, he has a ton of potential as a big slot receiver, too.” ESPN ranked him as the No. 1 JUCO tight end in the country for the 2017 cycle, No. 36 overall.