The fantasy football waiver wire rarely serves up rookie tight ends worth your attention, but Harold Fannin Jr. is breaking all the rules. Despite being buried on depth charts behind established veterans, this Browns rookie commanded more targets than starter David Njoku in Week 1.
Day 3 draft picks at tight end typically fade into obscurity, yet Fannin’s nine targets suggest something special is brewing in Cleveland. Could this overlooked rookie be the fantasy football steal of the season?
Should Harold Fannin Jr. Be a Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Add in Week 2?
Rostered: 2%
Historically, Day 3 rookie tight ends don’t exactly matter for fantasy football. They certainly don’t matter when trapped behind legitimate starting-caliber players like David Njoku. However, we have no choice but to take Fannin Jr. seriously.
The Browns’ supposed backup tight end played only nine fewer snaps than the starter and ran nine fewer routes. More importantly, Fannin commanded nine targets to Njoku’s five.
This won’t be the case every week. Njoku is still the TE1. But Fannin clearly has the talent and skill set to produce. Plus, there’s the chance the Browns trade Njoku at some point over the next month. In deeper leagues, grab Fannin now.
Aggressiveness Rating: 3.5
Waiver Wire Watch: Fannin Stands Out With Target Share in Browns’ Passing Game
Fannin’s Week 1 performance is the kind of anomaly that fantasy managers can’t ignore. While rookie tight ends rarely provide immediate value, his nine targets stand out as a signal of real opportunity in Cleveland. Even if Njoku remains the starter, Fannin has already proven capable of carving out a meaningful role in the Browns’ passing attack. That level of involvement, especially for a player rostered in just 2% of leagues, makes him a worthy stash candidate for those with bench flexibility.
READ MORE: Fantasy Waiver Wire Targets Week 2: Top Players to Add
It’s important to manage expectations — Fannin isn’t going to outproduce Njoku every week, and there will be games where his usage dips. Still, volume is king in fantasy football, and Fannin’s target share suggests he’s already earned the trust of his quarterback and coaching staff. If trade rumors around Njoku heat up, Fannin’s path to relevance could accelerate even faster.
In shallower formats, managers may prefer to monitor his usage before making a move, but in deeper or tight end–premium leagues, the time to act is now. Stashing him early could pay off big down the road, and if he continues to defy expectations, Fannin may prove to be one of the most impactful waiver wire finds of the season.
