The Browns have impressive depth at TE seemingly hedging there bets against Kellen Winslow’s health.  Winslow had a true breakout season last year for the Browns.  He has too much speed for linebackers to cover and he’s too big for safeties to deal with almost always giving the Browns the advantage when throwing him the football.  Winslow played in all 16 games for the Browns last season and he caught 82 passes for 1,106 yards (13.5 avg) with 5 TD grabs.  Look for Winslow to at least put up similar numbers in 2008 as long as he can stay healthy.  Winslow has now played in 34 games in his NFL career and he has caught 176 passes for 2,031 yards (11.5 avg) with 8 TD grabs.

31-year old Steve Heiden is a solid blocker and he’s usually really effective in catching the ball by the goal line.  He has great hands but little speed to do much after the catch.  Heiden played in all 16 games for the Browns last season and he caught 12 passes for 104 yards (8.7 avg) without a TD grab.  Look for Heiden’s numbers to stay about the same this season as the Browns have a lot of options in the passing game better than Heiden.  Heiden has now played in 116 games in his NFL career and he has caught 168 passes for 1,367 yards (8.1 avg) with 13 TD grabs.

31-year old Darnell Dinkins is a very effective special teams player and that’s where he will likely have to make the team.  Dinkins played in 15 games last season for the Browns and he only caught 1 pass for 15 yards.  Expect Dinkins to get some playing time possibly on running downs as he is a decent blocker.  Dinkins has now played in 62 games in his NFL career and he has caught 20 passes for 187 yards (9.4 avg) with 2 TD grabs.

The Browns drafted TE Martin Rucker of Missouri because he’s a very effective receiver.  Rucker played in 14 games (all starts) for Missouri last season and he caught 84 passes for 834 yards (9.9 avg) with 8 TD grabs.  Look for Rucker to work his way up the depth chart this season until he’s the primary backup to Winslow at least on passing downs.  Rucker finished up playing in 50 games (all starts) for Missouri in which he caught 203 passes for 2,175 yards (10.7 avg) with 18 TD grabs.

26-year old Brad Cieslak is a long shot to make the Browns.  He’s a big guy at 6’3″, 262 pounds but he didn’t play last season.  Cieslak has now played in 7 games in his NFL career and he has caught 6 passes for 46 yards (7.7 avg).

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  A