The Cleveland Browns added 15 undrafted free agents following the 2020 NFL Draft, and the tight end from Iowa is one of the most intriguing. With expectations that Cleveland is going to be using two tight end sets in the base offense it will require more depth. The Browns did add Austin Hooper in free agency and Harrison Bryant during the draft to join David Njoku, Pharaoh Brown and Stephen Carlson. Is there room for another?
Name: Nate Wieting
Position: Tight End
School: Iowa
Height: 6-4
Weight: 244 pounds
Nate Stanley ➡️ Nate Wieting sets up Drake Kulick's 1-yard TD
Iowa 27-20, 3:09 4th | https://t.co/hdlMwtuLDX pic.twitter.com/huIC4C1KU4
— On Iowa (@GazetteOnIowa) December 28, 2017
Strengths: Wieting is a great addition as an undrafted free agent considering most pundits viewed him as a late-round prospect. He is clearly a hard worker ready to grind as evidenced by his rise from walk-on to full-time starter and he is coming from TEU, where even the most unheralded tight ends contribute at the next level. Wieting flew under the radar for a ton of reasons, but he has excellent blocking ability and appears to have an extremely high floor.
@NFLPABowl | Was very impressed with the blocking clinic that Iowa TE Nate Wieting put on today, he laid down some solid practice film out here in #Pasadena🌹The former walk-on possesses underrated athleticism; was 4-sport athlete in HS. Measured 6037/244/0918/3268/7868. pic.twitter.com/449eHdvAAl
— Ric Serritella (@RicSerritella) January 15, 2020
Weaknesses: We discussed Wieting flying under the radar and the fact that most viewed him as a draftable prospect, but it is pretty obvious his injury issues are the main reason he didn’t hear his name called. He only missed two games this past season due to a calf injury, but he found his way to the sideline quite often throughout the year. His best attribute is as a blocking tight end, but he lacks the ideal strength you look for in a blocking specialist and this is evident as he fails to put guys in the dirt despite being in the right position.
Overall:
Wieting is good enough to hang in the NFL in a reserve role and key special teams contributor, but he is unlikely to ever develop into a key piece on offense. It is hard to predict what the Browns are going to do with him. They may view Wieting as a reliable enough blocker and asset special teams, which should help his cause, but the tight end room is getting crowded.
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