Alex

Smith

Smith is expected to contribute this season. He’ll be on the field with Anthony Becht in two tight end sets most of the time.

Smith is one of the best late-round possible TE1s available this year. Any lost time hurts him as he tries to unseat Anthony Becht to start.

Smith had been sidelined for a few days with a hamstring injury.

There are few players we are higher on for value this season. He’s a well-rounded tight end that should experience the great second-year leap in performance that many at his position do. He’ll outperform Vernon Davis at a cheaper price.

“He’s the prototype,” Middleton says. “He’s the Antonio Gates type, and I think (Gates) is the best one out there. I think this kid has all the tools and the ‘want-to’ to be that.” Smith is definitely worth a late-round flier in re-draft leagues.

No Bucs receiver gained more than 37 yards. It’s disconcerting for Smith owners that Anthony Becht caught four passes, but we’d remain patient with the second-year option.

Smelley will compete with Smith for the H-back role, but is also expected to push Owen Marecic for snaps at fullback. Although Ben Watson is slated to start at tight end, the Northern Ohio News-Herald considers Evan Moore the only “safe” bet to make the team. Jordan Cameron is also in the mix for reps.

Third on the depth chart last season, Smith caught 14 passes for 131 yards and one score before landing on injured reserve with a shoulder injury in late December. A blocking specialist, he’ll be lucky to repeat those numbers during his age-30 campaign.

At this point, all serious injuries should be season-ending. Smith has 14 catches for 131 yards as the Browns’ No. 3 tight end this year. With Ben Watson (concussions) also done, rookie Jordan Cameron should back up Evan Moore in the final two games.

Smith only sprained the shoulder, so he should enter 2012 free agency 100 percent recovered. The blocking tight end caught 14 passes for 131 yards and one touchdown in 14 games for the Browns this year.