Gary Barnidge

Barnidge is the poster boy for not paying up for a tight end on draft day. A career backup, Barnidge got a starting shot when Jordan Cameron left for Miami last year. Talk about making the most of it, he ranked top-4 in every major receiving category among TEs, all the more impressive considering the Browns' lousy QB play. With Travis Benjamin stretching the field and drawing defensive attention, Barnidge was free to use his size and strength in single coverage over the middle to body out defenders. He caught just 63.2 percent of his targets (23rd), but that was due in part to the Browns' 23rd-ranked QB accuracy. That also made his weekly yardage inconsistent, though he posted three 100-yard games and made up for it with TDs in eight games. At 6-6, 250, he led TE with 24 red-zone targets and had 13 inside the 10, turning those into five scores. One reason he got so many targets was the Browns' lack of options; Barnidge and Benjamin accounted for 41.5 percent of the team's targets. Benjamin left, replaced only by first-round draft pick Corey Coleman. There's also hope Josh Gordon is reinstated. Even if that means fewer targets for Barnidge it could be a good thing because he needs someone to take the heat off him. Barnidge underwent hernia surgery in June but is expected to be ready for training camp.

Barnidge is a career backup tight end, and even without Pro Bowler Jordan Cameron returning for the 2015 season, the 30-year-old still projects to have a similar role. Cameron missed seven total games in 2014 due to various ailments, but Barnidge still only managed 13 receptions on 25 targets all year (both career-bests), while failing to find the end zone. He did miss three games of his own while tending to a ribs injury, however. Barnidge was targeted just once in the red zone a season ago, and there’s little reason to expect a drastic turnaround in the upcoming year.

Barnidge will compete for targets at the tight end position in 2014, but currently finds himself behind Jordan Cameron and Jim Dray on the depth chart. The 28-year-old saw 18 targets with the Browns in 2013, and will likely see a similar role this year.

Barnidge was signed to add depth to the tight end group behind Jordan Cameron and Kellen Davis.

Expected to backup Greg Olsen at tight end, although Barnidge is more of a blocker than a pass catcher.

Would have been used mostly for blocking help along the offensive line, thanks to Greg Olsen and Jeremy Shockey ahead of him, but he will miss a majority (if not all) the season with a fractured ankle.

Barnidge had 12 receptions for 242 yards last season and sits behind Dante Rosario and Jeff King in the depth chart.

Barnidge appeared in 15 games, but did not record a catch for the Panthers during his rookie season. He'll remain the No. 3 option at tight end behind starter Jeff King and No. 2 man Dante Rosario for now.

Barnidge is in the mix to compete with 2007 draft pick Dante Rosario for the Panthers' backup tight end spot behind Jeff King. Barring an injury, his opportunities as a pass-catcher will be very limited.