NFL intelligence feed

Browns TE expected to exploit Saints' weakness at stopping vertical threats at tight end, a long-standing defensive vulnerability for New Orleans; Saints have struggled to contain tight ends in years past.

Canal Street Chronicles notes that stopping vertical threats at tight end continues to be the Saints' kryptonite, with the team struggling to defend tight ends in years past. Fannin Jr. should have a favorable matchup against New Orleans' interior defensive front weakness, which has led to an inability to consistently stop the run and defend the passing game vertically.

Tight end Harold Fannin has rebounded from a lull of 2 catches in 2 games with 16 catches for 245 yards over the last 2 games; he catches the ball well and consistently gains extra yards after contact. In 7 games with Shedeur Sanders at quarterback last year, Fannin had 4 touchdown receptions and regular target volume, with the source expecting that connection to continue this week.

Fannin has surged recently with 16 catches for 245 yards over the last 2 games after a lull of only 2 catches in 2 games prior. He excels at gaining yards after contact. Critically, in 7 games with Sanders at quarterback last year, Fannin recorded 4 touchdown receptions and received a fair amount of targets week-to-week, setting up potential increased production this week with Sanders starting.

Fannin was outstanding in Week 9 with 10 catches for 154 yards on 12 targets against the Steelers, consistently getting open and making good yardage after the catch. A third-round pick last year, Fannin is wildly underrated. He had 72 catches for 731 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie in an otherwise sickly Cleveland offense. In his final college season at Bowling Green, he led all FBS pass catchers in receptions (117) and receiving yards (1,555). Fannin and the Browns take on the Saints in New Orleans this week with Shedeur Sanders starting at quarterback in place of the concussed Deshaun Watson. Sanders hyper-targeted Fannin when they played together last season, so this shouldn't be an issue for Fannin.

Harold Fannin Jr. is a tight end but also the Browns' leading receiver, giving him dual-threat value in the passing game. The source warns the Saints cannot allow Fannin to have a Brock Bowers-level impact, highlighting his potential as a primary weapon in the offense.

Fannin is the Browns' leading receiver despite being a tight end; the source warns the Saints cannot allow him to have a Brock Bowers-level impact against their defense, indicating he is a primary target in Cleveland's passing attack.

Fannin faces the Saints, an increasingly good matchup for slot receivers; no team allows a higher completion rate over expected on throws to the slot, and ten defenses allow higher EPA per pass to the slot. Since Week 5, the Saints have given up 28.5 expected fantasy points per game to slot pass catchers, the fourth highest mark in the league. Fannin saw a target on 27 percent of his routes in 2025 with Sanders at QB and ranks fourth in expected fantasy points per game among tight ends over the past two weeks.

Fannin was terrific for the Browns last week with 10-154-0 on 12 targets, following a 6-91-0 game against the Titans in Week 7. Shadeur Sanders is expected to start at QB for the Browns in place of Deshaun Watson (concussion); Sanders tended to lock onto Fannin and hyper-target the tight end when they played together last season. Fannin has a friendly matchup against a Saints defense that allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to TEs. He's a must-start as a midrange TE1.

Terrific for Browns last week in otherwise dismal performance against Steelers with 10-154-0 on 12 targets; came on heels of 6-91-0 game; strong recent production suggests continued involvement.

Gets a boost if Watson sits; had strong connection with Watson down the stretch last year, though this year's situation differs with two rookie WRs; still considered a solid play for Sunday.

Harold Fannin is recommended as a start for Week 9 in the Saints vs. Browns matchup, which features outliers and ceiling plays.

Harold Fannin Jr. is coming off a monster game after a mostly quiet start to the season and is ranked in the Top-12 for Week 9 at New Orleans; the source thinks the QB change won't matter much for him, and he'll keep it going against a defense that hasn't covered tight ends well, allowing the fifth most FPPG to the position.

The source ranks Fannin in the Top-12 as a 'Ride' against New Orleans, noting he's coming off a monster game after a mostly quiet start to the season; the source believes the QB change won't matter much and he'll keep it going against a defense that hasn't covered tight ends well, allowing the fifth most FPPG to the position.

Harold Fannon has improved significantly over the past two weeks, averaging over 10 targets per game after struggling early in the season when wide receivers were eating into his workload.

Matthew Berry ranks Harold Fannin Jr. as TE8 for Week 9, placing him in the Love category for the Alvin Kamara vs. Cleveland matchup.

The source questions whether Harold Fannin Jr. is a top-5 tight end for fantasy in Week 9 against New Orleans, suggesting he's in consideration for elite TE status.