Cleveland Browns Training Camp 2020: TE Preview (Part 2)

In Part 1 of our tight end preview, we looked at the top three candidates at the position. In Part 2, we look at the other three tight ends: Stephen Carlson, Pharaoh Brown, and Nate Wieting.

Photo by: 2019 Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images

4. Stephen Carlson - Backup TE

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 240 lbs | Age: 23
Experience: 2 years | College: Princeton

The Browns signed Stephen Carlson last offseason as an undrafted free agent. He made a couple of catches in the preseason, and showed enough to warrant a spot on the team’s practice squad. Carlson was called up to the active roster in November, and his first catch in the NFL ended up being a touchdown against the Steelers:

Carlson finished the year with 5 catches for 51 yards and 1 touchdown. During his limited playing time, he showed good hands, which makes sense since he played the receiver position at Princeton. His tweener size led to him being converted to a tight end in the NFL, and his blocking skills are still to be determined. He has a fair shot at making the roster if Cleveland keeps four right ends, and an even better chance if the team trades David Njoku.

Final Roster Odds: 60%

Photo by: 2019 Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images

5. Pharaoh Brown - Backup TE

Height: 6-6 | Weight: 258 lbs | Age: 26
Experience: 3 years | College: Oregon

Pharaoh Brown was an undrafted free agent with the Raiders in 2017. The Browns signed him to their practice squad in 2018; he was promoted to the main roster for a few weeks before going on injured reserve. Fans know him more from the 2019 season, when he played 9 games, catching 2 passes for 27 yards. My first impression of him when in training camp last year — I was at one session, and he ran off the field between the crowd to use the public restroom during practice. Besides that, his tall frame at 6-6 stood out in red zone drills.

The Browns tendered Brown as an exclusive rights free agent this offseason. He graded out as an average run blocker and pass blocker. With Austin Hooper, David Njoku, and Harrison Bryant all being viewed more so as receiving threats, it’s possible that Brown could win a roster spot as a reserve blocking tight end/special teamer, since you don’t need to load up four deep in athletic receiving tight ends.

Final Roster Odds: 20%

Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images

6. Nate Wieting - Rookie TE

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 244 lbs | Age: 23
Experience: Rookie | College: Iowa

The Browns signed Nate Wieting as an undrafted free agent after this year’s draft. He was graded as Dane Brugler’s 29th ranked tight end in this year’s class. He wasn’t invited to the NFL Combine this year, and the feeling was that he flew under the radar. He didn’t start until he was a senior in college, thanks to the likes of George Kittle, Noah Fant and T.J. Hockenson all playing in front of him for years at Iowa.

Wieting didn’t have many receiving opportunities in college, but there haven’t been any knocks on his ability to catch the ball. The strengths for him relate to blocking, which I think balances out well for Cleveland to have Carlson vs. Brown vs. Wieting as a competition on the back end of the roster to see who the best overall player is.

Final Roster Odds: 20%