Browns lose 3rd 2020 draft pick in free agency as Harrison Bryant signs with Raiders

CLEVELAND, Ohio — A third Browns 2020 draft pick is on his way out of Cleveland this free agency cycle.

Tight end Harrison Bryant is heading west and will join the Las Vegas Raiders on a one-year deal that has a $3.25 million base with a max value of $4 million, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

With his departure, the Browns will look to add another tight end into the mix behind David Njoku this offseason. They still have Jordan Akins under contract through 2024, but seem poised to keep their eyes open for a bargain second or third tight end.

The 25-year-old was selected in the fourth round, 115th overall, by the Browns in 2020 out of Florida Atlantic.

Bryant joins center Nick Harris, who will sign with the Seahawks, and DT Jordan Elliott, who will sign with the 49ers, as 2020 draft picks opting for a change of scenery.

The move by Bryant, who wanted to test the free agency waters this offseason, is to be expected, especially as his involvement in the pass game declined last season.

After exceeding 200 receiving yards in each of his first three seasons, Bryant had just 81 yards with the Browns in the 2023 regular season and only 20 targets. He did have three touchdowns, however, and was instrumental in fourth-and-short situations for the Browns, executing tight end sneaks.

“We’ve run that play before, so that’s no secret,” Kevin Stefanski said in October after they debuted the Bryant sneak. “But to have a versatile football player like Harrison that you trust in those moments to do a variety of jobs. He’s a guy since he got here, he does a lot of dirty work, doesn’t get a lot of the credit, but he’s done a really nice job in that expanded role.”

He also established himself as a solid pass blocker this past season, with Pro Football Focus giving him an 80.2 grade.

In Vegas, Bryant will still be in a backup to 2023 second-round draft pick Michael Mayer. In that role he’ll replace another former Brown, Austin Hooper, who is heading to New England.

For Bryant’s career in Cleveland, he ends with 791 yards and 10 touchdowns, catching 89 of 127 targets.

The Browns have re-signed a number of their prospective free agents this offseason, including defensive end Za’Darius Smith, defensive tackles Maurice Hurst and Shelby Harris, guard Michael Dunn and punter Corey Bojorquez. They’ve also agreed on a one-year deal worth up to $8.7 million with Saints quarterback Jameis Winston to back up Deshaun Watson, and agreed to trade for receiver Jerry Jeudy, sending a fifth- and sixth-round pick to the Broncos.

In addition to losing Bryant, Elliott and Harris, the Browns also said goodbye to linebackers Anthony Walker Jr., who will sign with the Dolphins, and Sione Takitaki, who will sign with the Patriots. They also lost out on Mike Ford Jr., who had been a key special teamer and backup corner, and is heading to the Texans.

The moves will become official at 4 p.m. Wednesday.