When the 2025 season concluded, the Cleveland Browns appeared fairly good with their tight finish room. David Njoku was a seasoned veteran, Harold Fannin had simply been named to the NFL All-Rookie Workforce, Blake Whiteheart and Brendan Bates laid down a backup basis, whereas former UFL star Sal Cannella waited his activate the observe squad together with Caden Prieskorn.
On the time, it was thought-about group.
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The Browns didn’t re-sign Njoku earlier than free company. He then mentioned his goodbyes to the Cleveland fanbase, however has since remained unsigned. Whiteheart was re-signed, and former New Orleans Saints tight finish Jack Stoll was inked throughout free company whereas the franchise tendered Bates. Cannella and Prieskorn had been each signed to order/futures contracts in March.
Then, in April’s draft, GM Andrew Berry chosen Joe Royer out of Cincinnati and in addition Carsen Ryan from BYU.
That’s seven gamers for the tight finish room. New head coach Todd Monken is understood for utilizing lots of tight finish play in his offense. The norm for NFL groups is often three tight ends after coaching camp; nonetheless, it could shock no one if Monken saved 4 as an alternative.
Who’s Royer? With all of those tight ends already on the roster, why did Berry draft him?
Royer is an Ohio child, having been raised in Cincinnati and rising up a Bengals fan. He attended Elder Excessive College. As a senior, Royer led his workforce to the state runner-up end, and he was named All-State. He was identified to dominate video games on offense. He started at large receiver, and as he started to fill out, his coaches moved him to tight finish and H-back.
His father is Mark Royer, who works for the Submit Workplace, whereas his mom, Micki Royer, handed away unexpectedly in September of 2022 on the age of 52. The couple had been married for 27 years. She was described as a vibrant, athletic, and aggressive one who cherished attending her kids’s sporting occasions. Royer has one tattoo, and appropriately, it’s an homage to his late mother.
There are two sisters: Rachel and Sammie. Royer additionally has a big prolonged household. Sammie was a soccer star at Hanover School, whereas Rachel performed her school soccer at Western Michigan and is now a piano teacher.
Royer has a tattoo devoted to his mother, and describes her as his “why.” She was outlined because the lifetime of the occasion and even climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa.
He was identified to dominate the sport of highschool soccer. He was rated as a High 2020 Ohio prospect and had 70 receptions for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns.
4-star prospectFirst Workforce Division 1, Area 4/Southwest All-Area Workforce First Workforce Division 1 OPSWA All-Ohio honorsPolynesian Bowl invitee
Royer had loads of curiosity from school packages corresponding to Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan, Nebraska, Ball State, Arizona State, Georgia Tech, Kent State, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Pitt, Michigan State, Louisville, Cincinnati, Iowa State, Boston School, Japanese Michigan, Rutgers, Toledo, Western Michigan, and Air Drive.
He selected Ohio State and spent three seasons there. He solely performed in 14 video games with 4 receptions for twenty-four yards. His lack of taking part in time didn’t sit effectively with him, so he entered the switch portal. He was seen as one of many high tight ends within the Large 12 and had a slew of colleges contact him.
A former Elder Excessive College teammate referred to as him and gave pitch for him to switch to Cincinnati. In simply his first season, he had 50 receptions for 521 yards and three TDs. Final season, that manufacturing was lowered to 29 catches for 416 yards and 4 TDs. In all, he began all 25 video games at his new faculty.
225-pound bench press: DNP
What ought to Browns followers anticipate from Royer?
He’s an excellent child, and he’ll give every little thing he’s acquired for certain. Royer didn’t get drafted by his hometown Bengals, however by being chosen contained in the division, he’ll play one recreation a 12 months there. Excessive soccer IQ. He’s an above-average blocker and an excellent cross catcher. He performs very effectively out in house, working and catching the ball, and out on the perimeter. Whereas at Ohio State is the time when he misplaced his mom and had a scarcity of taking part in time. However after he returned to his dwelling metropolis and started his training on the College of Cincinnati, he rejuvenated his profession and curiosity within the recreation.
This child exhibits distinctive physique management and spatial consciousness. He can contort his physique and catch poorly-thrown passes. He creates good separation on intermediate throws and can run offended after the catch. Good YAC numbers. Can discover tender spots and can struggle for further yardage. Has that typical tight finish mindset, as he doesn’t wish to be tackled. Nice athletic testing numbers.
Third Workforce All-Large 122025 Mackey Award watch listFirst Workforce All-Large 12 (2024)
William Purnell-Imagn Pictures
His blocking expertise might use some tutelage. Inconsistent hand placement when engaged with blocks. He’ll present occasional lapses in focus and can spherical off his routes with none try to idiot his defender. Has had some damage points and wishes to point out he can full a full season. Might enhance his useful power, particularly in his decrease physique.
