It wasn’t a surprise during the Browns’ first open organized team activity practice to see Deshaun Watson target new tight end Jordan Akins on multiple throws.
The prior relationship between Watson and Akins isn’t the only reason the Browns signed Akins in March. But that was part of it, and Akins is an intriguing yet often overlooked piece of an offseason offensive plan designed both to make Watson more comfortable with his surroundings and eventually more dangerous in the passing game.
Advertisement
We won’t know the final shape of the remade Browns’ pass-catching group for several months. But Akins is going to get opportunities to be at least a semi-regular part of the plans, and a player who caught passes from Watson for three seasons in Houston is anxious to do it again.
“The relationship we have is a big help,” Akins said this week. “Deshaun knows me. I know Deshaun. Certain plays, when I’m coming across… sometimes I can just look at him, give him a certain look, and he can kind of signal some of the routes we have signals (from) Houston. He helps me out and I help him out through the air as far as making plays.”
The Browns used major draft resources at wide receiver, trading their second-round pick for Elijah Moore and using their first third-round pick on Cedric Tillman. In free agency, they also added speedy veteran Marquise Goodwin and Akins, who will compete for snaps as the No. 2 tight end behind David Njoku.
Akins, who turns 31 next month, played his first three seasons in Houston with Watson. In 2019, Akins had what was then a career-best 418 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Now, Akins said he believes the Browns will see the Watson he knows after Watson struggled last season in six games while playing for the first time since the 2020 season.
“When he’s (on), it’s great rhythm throws. Deep ball throws,” Akins said. “He can read defenses, pick apart defenses. Whether we get the mismatches, he’ll find the mismatches. And also whenever he sees like he’s surrounded (by pass rushers and) he’s going down, some way he pops out. So you’ve got to stay on your feet, stay moving downfield and be ready to make a play at all times.
“He’ll find you if you find open ground.”
For Akins, what was already an unconventional career took a wild turn last year. Akins left the rebuilding Texans and signed a one-year deal with the Giants in April 2022, but he was cut before the end of the preseason. He signed back with the Texans on their practice squad a day after the leaguewide final summer cuts, then was called up to the active roster in October.
Advertisement
He scored a touchdown in Week 3, the first game he played as a gameday call-up, and averaged 15.4 yards per reception over his first four games. He ended up setting new career highs with 495 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Akins ranked 13th in receiving grade by Pro Football Focus among tight ends leaguewide who had at least 20 targets.
Akins was a third-round Major League Baseball draft pick in 2010 and chose to play minor league baseball. When that didn’t work out, he played four seasons of college football at Central Florida — the first two as a wide receiver — and scored eight touchdowns over his final three college seasons. He became a third-round pick of the Texans in 2018 at age 26. With the Browns, he’s both the new guy and one of the older guys, but Akins still believes he’s ascending as a tight end.
“There’s definitely a lot more I can bring to the table,” Akins said. “Last year was really me just really getting my feet wet. (The Texans) kind of depended on me in the offense, so as long as I’m presented with the opportunity, I’m definitely going to (produce). And I accept any challenge that comes my way blocking, special teams, or making plays downfield.
“I feel like it’s a great opportunity here, man. Like I said, being reunited with the Deshaun and being able to get a different route tree. In Houston, I was kind of labeled as a catch-and-run tight end in the flat. But here I’m more down the field. I get to show off my athleticism, in and out of cuts and run it after the catch as well.”
The Browns like to use Njoku on quick screens and other short passes that allow Njoku to use his speed in catch-and-run situations. That could allow Akins to get some of those vertical chances he craves, and though the acquisitions of Moore and Goodwin brought more outside attention, Browns general manager Andrew Berry said last month that the team views the 6-foot-4 Akins as “a really good player who can be a mismatch in the passing game.”
Advertisement
For now, Akins is focused on the basics of learning a new offense and a new locker room — and he views his prior relationship with Watson as something that’s easing the transition.
“Last spring (being with the Giants) was really my first adversity, as in moving and adjusting to a different team,” Akins said. “But this year I was kind of prepared for it and I’m more aware of what I had to do, so I kind of put things in the right place and made the right moves so it was easier for my family and myself.
“Deshaun and I, we’re trying to get (that playbook language down) right now. That’s what OTAs are for, trying to get the rhythm down. We’re trying to get the way he plays the game. And luckily I’ve been with him for three years, so I kind of know how to maneuver when he makes certain moves. But as a team, I think we’ll be fine. Like I say, Deshaun, he will find the open guy. We will make plays for him.”
(Top photo: Matt Starkey / Cleveland Browns)