The Cleveland Browns selected Cincinnati TE Joe Royer in Round 5 of the 2026 NFL Draft. A former four-star TE at Ohio State, he transferred back home to Cincinnati in 2024. Royer immediately won the starting job. Royer showed receiving promise with a 50-521-3 line in 2024. He took a slight step back in 2025 (29-416-4) with the Bearcats needing more blocking help. Royer spent 49.5% of his snaps at Cincinnati in the slot and 44.1% inline. He showed success in run and pass blocking and created mismatches against slot CBs and LBs. Among the 27 TEs invited to the NFL Combine, Royer ranked 21st in 2025 aDOT (6.2), and 13th in team market share of receiving yards (14.4%). He ranked 13th in 2025 receiving yards per team pass attempt (1.21) and 14th in receiving yards per route run (1.49). He is currently 24 years old.