Who Should I Start? Cole Kmet or Harold Fannin Jr.

Saturday, July 19, 11:33 AM

Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet was initially taken aback when the team took rookie Colston Loveland in the first round in April, but now he's beginning to buy into new head coach Ben Johnson's offensive vision. "I'm excited about it. I'm excited to not only push him but then for him to push me. We're going to make each other better. I think the goal with it is to become the best 12 (personnel) tandem in the league and see where we can take it from there," Kmet said. In Detroit, Johnson's offense ran the third-most plays out of 12 personnel (two TEs) in the league, posted a success rate of 47.9%, averaged a gain of 6.2 yards per play and logged 59 explosive plays in 2024. The Lions also had the most TDs out of 12 personnel. It doesn't mean Chicago's offense will be among the best in the league immediately, but Kmet's demise might be premature, especially with Loveland still rehabbing a shoulder injury heading into training camp.

Friday, June 13, 3:10 PM

Cleveland Browns rookie third-round tight end Harold Fannin Jr. had a busy day earlier this week at mandatory minicamp and could have a big role in his first season in the NFL with the Browns expected to use more two-tight end sets in 2025. "He's got really strong hands," tight ends coach Christian Jones said. "He tracks the ball well and you see it on tape every time he's been playing when you study him and we're getting ready to see what he'd be for us. The guy catches everything, tracks the ball well and really adjusts to the ball in the air." Fannin is on the small side for a TE, but his production last year at Bowling Green speaks for itself (117 catches, 1,555 yards and 10 touchdowns). It's unclear if he has the athleticism to exceed regularly in the NFL, though, and he'll have a tough time making a fantasy impact in 2025 as long as David Njoku stays healthy.