Now that the 2006 season gets smaller and smaller in the Cleveland Browns rearview mirror, we here at DawgBones.com want to start looking ahead. In a weekly feature we are calling Browns Spotlight, we are going to take a look at the Browns current positional situations and whether or not they need to be upgraded or left alone. We will also explore whether or not we feel that the team would be best suited to fill their needs via the NFL Draft or free agency. We hope you all enjoy and look forward to hearing all your comments and concerns in The Bone Yard forums.

So far we have looked at the quarterback and running back situation for the Cleveland Browns heading into the 2007 off-season. This week we will break down the tight end position.

The team went into the 2006 season very anxious to see what 3rd-year tight end Kellen Winslow II could do. Winslow or K2 as he is referred to had missed all but 2 games over the first 2 years of his NFL career due to on and off field injuries. Winslow admittedly was not 100%, in his words he never will be. Recently he was interviewed by Jamie Dukes of the NFL Network and he said it would be very hard for him to get back to where he was when he was playing college ball at the University of Miami.

Fans of the Browns can only imagine how great K2 could have been. In 2006 Winslow not only returned, he exploded back onto the NFL scene. His 89 catches were 16 more then any other tight end in football. He also tallied 875 receiving yards, 3rd best in the NFL. All of this at about 85%-90%. As we stated last year in this very column, Winslow at 90% would still be better then just about any tight end in football and we were dead on. In all that he accomplished in 2006, Winslow was still snubbed for the Pro Bowl. If he has another season like he did in 2006, he will be Hawaii bound.

If there is any concern about Winslow it would be his durability and longevity. His injuries are not the type that go a way. They are the type that stay with you and are chronic. For this reason no one knows how long K2 will play in the NFL, we are just sure it won't be as long as it could have been. Winslow is scheduled to have arthroscopic surgery this week. Although a simple procedure it is probably one that will become routine for him.

The Browns are fortunate to have a very good #2 tight end in veteran Steve Heiden. Heiden filled in admirably for Winslow in 2005 and still had solid numbers in 2006. Heiden snatched 36 balls, the 2nd most of his career and also added a pair of touchdowns as well. Heiden was always thought to be a better run blocker then a pass catcher. Over the last 2 seasons however he has proven he can be a weapon in the passing game as well.

The Browns lost veteran tight ends Aaron Shea and Keith Heinrich in 2006 to free agency so they needed to add another tight end to the squad. G.M. Phil Savage reached back into his Baltimore Ravens bag and signed tight end Darnell Dinkins. Dinkins is truly a run blocker first and pass catcher second. In fact he only 2 balls all year, 1 for a touchdown. Dinkins is also a very good special teams player and was part of group that was at or near the top in many categories.

So now that we see who is currently on the roster, will the Browns make a play for another tight end in free agency? The answer to that is obviously no. Winslow is becoming one of the games elite tight ends. If he were to have to miss some time Heiden would fill in adequately and has proven that in the past. One player that would peak interest, but more then likely would cost way too much money is Daniel Graham of the New England Patriots. Head coach Romeo Crennel is very a ware of Graham's abilities to not only be one of the best run blocking tight ends in the NFL, but his big play ability in the passing game as well. Though we would love to see him in Orange and Brown, don't count on it.

Does the fact that the team will not pick up a tight end in free agency mean they will not look for one in the draft? No it does not. As we stated earlier, there is concern about the longevity of Winslow's career. With that said the Browns would look to possible picking up a tight end late on day 2 of the 2007 NFL Draft.

A player who comes from a small school, but that is impressing many people is Delaware's Ben Patrick. Patrick was a Division 1-AA All-American tight end in 2006 and could be a sleeper pick for some lucky team.

The team may also wait and see if they can bring in some undrafted rookie free agent tight ends to look at as well. The crop of tight ends this year is not very strong so using a late draft pick may be worth while if you are in the market. How many times have we seen the Browns use a late 2nd day pick to draft a linebacker of offensive linemen who never see the field. At least taking a TE in round 6 or 7 could provide the team with a player with some skill, not just another big body.

Tight end is clearly not a "need" position for the Browns. In fact it is one of the better areas on the team. With that said there are still some lingering questions and having another young tight end that could be a weapon on offense is never a bad thing.

Next week we will look at the tackle positions on the offensive line for the Cleveland Browns.

Back to DawgBones.com