Jordan

Akins

Akins started six games for the Browns via multiple injuries to typical starter David Njoku, comng on strong to end the season on his way to a 40-390-2 finish to his 2024 season. Akins heads into the offseason as an unrestricted free agent after playing his second season in Cleveland.

Akins was tough for Dolphins defenders to bring down, flashing the size-speed traits that have kept him in the league for his age-32 season. Akins is unlikely to repeat the feat against the Ravens’ defense in Week 18 but he could be TE2-viable.

David Njoku (hamstring) was out, but this has been about Akins’ ceiling all year long. Njoku tried to give it a go today, suggesting he will likely be back for Week 16 against the Bengals. If Njoku remains sidelined, Akins would have some streamer appeal against the horrid Bengals ... if Jameis Winston remains starter. Coach Kevin Stefanski is mulling starting Dorian Thompson-Robinson. That would render Akins a clear no-go.

With Njoku unlikely to play in Sunday’s game against the Chiefs, Browns offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey said the team would likely go to a tight end by committee. It’s bad news all around for Njoku and his fantasy managers, who will need to have another plan in place with the star tight end likely out. Backup Jordan Akins has caught 24-of-36 targets this season for 243 yards and one touchdown, and would likely lead the Browns’ TE committee vs. the Chiefs, but there are likely better streaming options available for this first week of the fantasy playoffs.

Akins was involved in a 52-pass day for the Browns. He is the clear No. 2 tight end to David Njoku, but would receive many of the underneath routes should Njoku miss time. The Browns offense is undergoing a shake-up with Amari Cooper gone and Deshaun Watson (Achilles) likely out for the season, but Akins can be left off the fantasy radar for now.

Two of Akins’ catches, including the touchdown, came on a meaningless drive late in the fourth quarter, so we wouldn’t read too much into his box score. The Browns will get David Njoku on the field more as his ankle continues to get better, but this offense isn’t capable of sustaining multiple receiving options right now.

Backup tight end Blake Whiteheart caught three passes and scored a short touchdown. Akins was an interesting streaming option when he was the only Cleveland tight end projected to see targets. With another name in the mix, Akins is off the fantasy radar for Week 5.

Akins saw just one target in Week 2. This was certainly an improvement, but he once again failed to amass 30 receiving yards, which he did for the last time during the 2022 season. David Njoku, please get well soon. Until Njoku returns from an ankle injury, Akins is the only tight end the Browns will use in the receiving game. That still doesn’t make him a recommended streaming option heading into Week 4 against the Raiders.

Njoku will miss a second game with an ankle injury he picked up in Week 1. Jordan Akins will continue operating as Cleveland’s No. 1 tight end. In Week 2 against the Jaguars, Akins ran a route on 20 of the team’s 38 drop backs and caught his only target for ten yards.

The 32-year-old Akins is a sub-replacement-level player who has failed to hit 30 yards receiving in a game since 2022. Akins is not a recommended Week 3 streamer, even against the Giants.