JUST IN: OFFICIAL DECISION; Browns Make $6.7 Million Announcement on Rookie Pass-Catcher

After a record-breaking college career at Bowling Green, the Browns selected Fannin with the 67th overall pick. Last season, Fannin set the FBS tight end records for receiving yards (1,555), receptions (117), receiving yards per game (119.6), and receptions per game (9).

Fannin’s four-year contract is worth $6.7 million, according to Jordan Schultz.
Fannin has a lot of potential for the Browns, who plan to deploy more multiple-tight-end formations next season as they retool their offense. He’s a pass-catching weapon who will team up with former Pro Bowler David Njoku. Blake Whiteheart, Brenden Bates, and Tre’ McKitty are all on the depth chart.

Fannin is also only 20 years old, which impressed the Browns’ executives.

“Here is a 20-year-old pass catcher who’s playing at a mid-major and he’s the guy that everybody knows that they have to stop and whether he goes to College Station or at Penn State, he’s the best player,” said Andrew Berry, the club’s general manager. “That weighs heavy. There are extremely few skilled players that can do so later in their college career. And for him to be able to do it at 20 years old, with perhaps not the most dynamic supporting cast, is very extraordinary.”

Multiple Browns draft picks remain unsigned.
With Fannin’s signing, the Browns now have three rookies under contract. Carson Schwesinger and Dylan Sampson signed their contracts during rookie minicamp. Rookies can participate in the offseason program without an official contract, but they must be signed by training camp.

The current Collective Bargaining Agreement primarily standardizes rookie contracts. However, contract language regarding guaranteed money and signing bonus distribution timelines is a regular topic of contention.

First-round pick Mason Graham, running back Quinshon Judkins, and quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders are still unsigned.

“They’ve all got to come up the learning curve quickly,” Berry told me. “They’re in a new system, a new environment, and they’re acquiring new skills while on the job. And Kevin’s message to them at the first team meeting was, “Hey, your focus is — I’m going to sound like a broken record here — but it’s to make the team, and nobody here has made the team yet.” So it’s creating the squad. After that, it’s about getting a part.”

Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders jokes about contract value.

Sanders was expected to be a first-round choice, which would have come with a sizable salary.