Written by Dave Kolonich

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Check out Part One – Quarterbacks here, Part Two – Running Backs – here and Part Three – Wide Receivers here.

For a passing offense that struggled as much as the Browns did in 2009, having an underneath safety net in the mold of a reliable tight end is more necessity than luxury.  In the Browns’ particular case, while 2009 was a horrific season for the team’s quarterbacks and wide receivers, the tight end position also didn’t offer much in the way of help. 

After Kellen Winslow was shipped off to Tampa Bay as part of Eric Mangini’s campaign to cleanse the Browns’ locker room, the tight end position became little more than a pedestrian set of mediocre run blockers.  Although Winslow was certainly not without his faults – the least of which were his arthritic knees…the ones that most 65-year old men would wince at – K2’s production on third downs was sorely missed last season.

Unfortunately for the Browns, the trio of Robert Royal, Steve Heiden and Greg Estandia proved ineffective in the passing game.  Perhaps the only bright spot coming from this position in 2009 was the late-season play of Evan Moore – who literally came out of nowhere. 

Heading into 2010, with a still raw collection of wideouts, a change was needed.  After all, Hank Fraley is no longer with the team.  

Ben Watson

In perhaps the most unheralded of offseason moves, the Browns added the sometimes dynamic Watson to hopefully boost the team’s woeful passing game – or at least help improve the even more dismal third down production of a year ago.

While Watson has never been viewed as an elite tight end, he is certainly a dramatic upgrade over the 2009 starters.  Watson brings good size and some freakish athletic ability, along with a familiarity with both Eric Mangini and Brian Daboll, from his days in New England.  However, the most appealing aspect that Watson brings to Cleveland is his ability to stretch the field vertically. 

Considering that the Browns currently don’t feature much speed among their wideouts, having Watson in the middle of the field could prove instrumental towards improving the overall passing game.  Of course, I’ve already pegged Jake Delhomme and Brian Robiskie as the keys to this year’s hopeful passing game revival – but in so many ways, Watson could become the winner of 2010’s “As Braylon Goes….So Go the Browns” Award.

Of course, Watson doesn’t come without a certain amount of baggage.

Although easily overlooked in New England, thanks to Randy Moss and Wes Welker, the book on Watson is that his on-field play has never lived up to his immense physical gifts.  Add in a recent injury history, as well as his occasional penchant for dropping passes and Watson could be considered a bit of a gamble.  However, compared to the other tight ends on the current roster, this gamble could prove to be one that the Browns had to make.

Otherwise, we’re stuck with these guys again…

Evan Moore

Not that being “stuck” with Moore is necessarily a bad thing. 

Again, give Mangini credit for another NFL scrap heap signing – as the sleek Moore surprised in the San Diego game and contributed against Pittsburgh late in the season.  Coming out of virtual obscurity, Moore flashed some nice playmaking ability and a rare set of sure hands.  Although incredibly unpolished and lacking the ideal frame for an NFL tight end, the possibilities of Moore improving thanks to a full year in Mangini’s system are intriguing.

Perhaps the bar for Moore in Cleveland could be comparable to what Winslow left behind.  Since Moore will probably never become an all-around tight end, based on his tall, yet skinny frame – it is possible that he could develop into more of a hybrid slot tight end/wide receiver in time.  Because of his height, Moore does offer opposing defenses some matchup problems, as he easily towers over most players on the field.

With some time in the weight room, it’s possible that Moore could continue to progress in Cleveland.

Robert Royal

Royal, or as I like to call him – last year’s Ben Watson – struggled mightily in 2009, thanks to some lingering injuries – including a broken finger and a sore hamstring.  Never fully healthy last season, Royal had more momentum-killing drops than positive plays.  However, in his defense, Royal is the type of versatile player that Mangini craves. 

Being both a fairly effective run blocker and decent pass catcher – again assuming he’s in possession of ten healthy digits – Royal does offer the Browns some flexibility at the position.  In a two-tight end scenario, Royal can provide protection for either Watson or Moore, who are clearly better suited as route runners. 

Of course, even with Mangini’s endorsement, Royal faces a bit of a struggle in making the final roster.  Carrying a hefty contract – at least for a backup tight end – it’s more than possible that Royal could be a late preseason cut…assuming of course that Watson stays healthy and Moore continues to progress.

Alex Smith

It only seems like a few years ago that Smith was considered one of the rising stars at his position.  However, thanks to a body of work that has been incredibly inconsistent, Smith now finds himself in the role of an NFL journeyman.  As for what he potentially brings to the Browns, it is rather unclear at the moment.  Depending on who you ask, or which scouting report you read, Smith is either an improving blocker or regressing pass catcher.

Somewhere in the middle, it appears we have our answer.

Greg Estandia

Estandia is the perfect evidence for why football is never played on paper.  Standing at 6′8 and weighing close to 270 lbs., Estandia would appear to be a brutally effective tight end.  However, after watching him get pushed around during his limited playing time last season, such an argument is quickly defused.

Perhaps the greatest physical attribute of Estandia is also his biggest weakness.  Because of his rare height, he is easily bowled over by opposing defenders who simply get lower than him and uproot the near Goliath.

Which just makes things very uncomfortable.  And kind of embarrasing. 

Ideally

Speaking of embarrassments, let’s hope that Watson can lift this unit from complete ineptness towards slight productivity.  In terms of the passing game, Watson could contribute 30-45 catches in 2010.  Ideally, most of these catches would come on third downs and in the redzone.  Watson’s presence could allow for the continued growth of the Browns’ young wideouts, while giving Moore some time to continue his progression.  In the most ideal terms possible, both Watson and Royal stay healthy, while a fourth tight end emerges to give the Browns some much needed flexibility.

But Really

Remember the Hank Fraley line?  I was only slightly kidding.  If Watson cannot stay healthy, then Royal becomes the top tight end target.  A doomsday tight end scenario would see Royal continue to struggle with drops, while Moore remains a raw prospect.  Of course, if all this occurs, Estandia could become both a primary option – as well as the owner of the world’s largest human divot.

The Pick

Until Watson toys with us by breaking open downfield, then dropping a sure touchdown, I’m putting a lot of faith in his potential for improving our dismal passing game.  For an offense that clearly lacks playmakers in the passing game, Watson’s arrival could prove significant. 

In many ways, Watson could rival the third down production of Joe Jurevicius from a few years ago, or just simply provide some underneath relief for Delhomme.  The rest of the depth at tight end is shaky at best, as Moore is still quite the project, while Royal’s disappointing 2009 could be a most alarming omen.

However, in the most generous terms possible, it’s worth noting that the absence of Hank Fraley from the lineup could be the most rewarding sign of progress imaginable.