The Cleveland Browns had a need for depth at the tight end position after releasing Austin Hooper early in the offseason. While the team doesn’t reap the benefits of Hooper’s cap space until June 1st, Hooper was able to sign with the Tennessee Titans already.
The hole on the depth chart also remains. David Njoku had the franchise tag placed on him and Harrison Bryant returns for his third season in the league. After that, Cleveland’s tight end room seems a little bare. Miller Forristall and Nick Guggemos return after activity last year.
That void made it surprising that the team didn’t draft a tight end in the 2022 NFL draft.
They did add a tight end shortly after the draft but a surprising one in Marcus Santos-Silva. Unlike the other undrafted free agents, whose signings were announced right before rookie minicamp, the team singled out Santos-Silva’s signing.
After a college career on the basketball court, the forward turned tight end was stepping back on the football field for the first time since his freshman year of high school.
The Browns social media gave us our first look at Santos-Silva catching a pass:
From the court to gridiron for TE @Marcus14__ pic.twitter.com/OFhGHl6fk3
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) May 15, 2022
The 6’6″ former Texas Tech All-Big 12 player looks in great shape and shows ease catching the ball away from his body while on the move.
Santos-Silva has a long way to go before earning a roster spot but the team’s depth chart and his athletic profile give him a distinct chance of doing so.