Harold Fannin

Deshaun Watson reportedly entered late-April 2026 minicamp ahead of Shedeur Sanders in Cleveland's 3-way QB competition (Watson, Sanders, Gabriel), with a starter decision expected by June 9-11 minicamp. A Watson-led offense materially caps Fannin's dynasty ceiling given Watson's post-Achilles injury history and the dynasty community's upside case being built around Sanders' development.

Cleveland's OL allowed 23 sacks in Sanders' 8 starts in 2025. A unit that cannot protect the QB suppresses the intermediate and seam game, forcing quicker reads and limiting how often Fannin can be a full-route option.

Fannin re-injured his groin against Pittsburgh in late December 2025 and was ruled DNP for W18 entirely, explaining the W17 target share collapse to 9%. The within-season recurrence elevates this beyond a one-time concern; training camp availability in 2026 should be monitored before any dynasty buy at current price.

Cleveland added KC Concepcion (R1, WR) and Denzel Boston (R2, WR) to a corps already featuring Jeudy, Judkins, and Sampson. More weapons improve overall offense efficiency but compress Fannin's target share ceiling relative to his rookie utilization floor.

Fannin, 21, surprisingly led Cleveland in receiving in 2025 after the team selected him in the third round, hauling in 72 of his 107 targets for 731 yards and six touchdowns in 16 games played, which made him the TE5 overall in half-PPR scoring. Pro Bowl alternate as rookie indicates exceptional trajectory.

David Njoku announced on February 9, 2026 that he will not re-sign with Cleveland, clearing Fannin as the undisputed TE1. Njoku had 33 catches for 293 yards in 2025 compared to Fannin's 72 catches for 731 yards, and his departure removes all meaningful positional competition.

New head coach Todd Monken (hired January 28, 2026) helped Mark Andrews to 11 TDs in 2024 and developed Isaiah Likely into a star while Ravens OC. Former players expect Monken to unlock Fannin's potential with his proven TE-friendly schemes and creative usage.

Njoku officially confirmed departure from Cleveland, explicitly citing Fannin's emergence as the reason the Browns declined to offer an extension. Royer (R5) and Ryan (R7) are developmental depth picks with no path to threatening year-2 starter status; Fannin is the unchallenged TE1 entering his sophomore season.

Among 40 TEs with 200+ routes run in 2025, Fannin ranked 1st in targets-per-route (26%) and 7th in YPRR (1.81), setting franchise rookie records for receptions (72) and finishing TE6 in full PPR. These efficiency marks validate talent independent of usage volatility.