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Tight End · Cleveland Browns

Harold Fannin — 2026 Fantasy Outlook

Data updated August 31, 2026 · Preseason · Shawn's sheet
Shawn's rank: TE3Selected update: TE4NFFC ADP 95Bye 11BreakoutUpdated August 28, 2026

Analysis by Shawn Childs, from his 2026 guide — his words, unedited.

The case

  • · Fannin proved to be the value at tight end in 2025 due to him being undrafted in most fantasy formats.
  • · He finished sixth in PPR fantasy points (187.40) at the tight end position while operating as the Browns’ TE2 over the first five weeks behind David Njoku and missed the final game and a half with a groin issue.
  • · His 2025 rookie resume lacked impact games (8/114/1 in Week 14), with three other outcomes with nine targets or more.
  • · Fannin scored between 10.00 and 20.00 PPR fantasy points in eight of his 16 games.
  • · Cleveland should give him a WR1 opportunity this year. They finished last year ranked sixth in tight end PPR fantasy points (273.80), thanks to finishing third in the NFL in percentage of their team’s completions (34.4%).

Question marks

  • · He plays for the Browns!
  • · Does Cleveland have a trusted option at quarterback?
  • · The Browns scored only 279 points last year, 31st in the NFL.
  • · Will his overall opportunity be higher than the second-tier tight end options?
  • · Fannin didn’t practice in May or June, suggesting that Cleveland was being cautious with his recovery from groin surgery.

Shawn's conclusion

Based on his gap in ADP to Colston Loveland, Fannin is the best value at tight end based on my early projections. He gets some dings for playing with the Browns and poor quarterback options, but Cleveland should feature him in their passing game. Should his ceiling be higher than his 2025 stats (72/744/6 on 107 targets)? And Fannin has the tools and pedigree (117/1,620/11 in his final year in college at age 19) to be a much better player. In my thoughts this draft season.

More on Fannin

Fannin put together one of the more impressive tight end seasons in recent college history in his third year at Bowling Green (117 catches for 1,555 yards and 10 touchdowns on 156 targets), punctuated by eight dominant outings (11/137/1, 8/145/1, 12/193/2, 9/135, 10/171, 10/137/2, 9/125/1, and 17/213/1). His production is hard to ignore, even accounting for the level of competition.

At 6'3" and 240 lbs. with a 4.70 40-yard dash, Fannin fits the profile of an undersized tight end with NFL-average speed at the position. His calling cards are exceptional hands and the ability to generate early acceleration out of his release, two traits that should translate well in the NFL. His areas that need development are his overall route running and release polish against more athletic NFL defenders. He's a legitimate threat after the catch, and his instincts near the goal line project well as he gains experience and refines his craft at the next level.

Last summer, Fannin was a TE2 riser in fantasy drafts, and he rewarded his supporters with 72 catches for 731 yards and six touchdowns on 107 targets despite splitting time with David Njoku. He finished sixth in tight end scoring (187.40) in PPR formats, with four winning games (7/81, 6/62/1, 8/114/1, and 4/34/2). Cleveland had him on the field for 73.3% of their snaps.

Fantasy Outlook

With David Njoku no longer on the roster, Fannin has a backed-in uptick in targets while ranking as a TE5 in mid-May in the National Fantasy Football League. Full Cleveland Browns outlook →

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