There’s not much game tape on Cleveland Browns undrafted free agent signing Marcos Santos-Silva.
In fact, before Sunday, there wasn’t any at all.
I take that back; there is game tape of Santos-Silva.
It’s just, instead of tight end pads and a helmet, he’s indoors, in a tank top, with a shooting sleeve.
That’s because Santos-Silva wasn’t a football player in college–he was a hooper.
And now, he wants to be another kind of hooper, an “Austin Hooper,” if you will.
Too soon?
On Sunday, fans got their first look at the TE signing:
From the court to gridiron for TE @Marcus14__ pic.twitter.com/OFhGHl6fk3
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) May 15, 2022
By The Numbers
Santos-Silva will give whoever plays under center a big target.
The former basketball star stands at 6-foot-7, he’s one of the tallest tight ends in the league, besting Travis Kelce, Darren Waller, and George Kittle.
At 250 pounds, he’s also right in the neighborhood of some of the high-end starters.
Size isn’t just important for catching.
Traditionally, tight ends have served as an additional blocker.
So having a big-bodied tight end with a massive wingspan is a major win-win.
Not saying he’ll be a George Kittle or Travis Kelce–those two are unicorns.
But at the very least, he fits the physical profile of a professional tight end.
Filling A Need
The Browns entered the offseason with a clear need at tight end.
Most pro clubs rely on at least two quality tight ends and some, like the Bills, even load up with 23 packages (two running backs and three tight ends).
In David Njoku, the Browns have at least one quality starter.
And prior to the draft the hope was that one of Harrison Bryant, Miller Forristall, and/or Nick Guggemos could slot in at no. 2.
Post-draft, the tight end room got a little more crowded.
It was somewhat surprising that the Browns didn’t select a tight end in the draft.
Big congrats to Marcos Santos-Silva on being named to the A10 All-Academic team, but he was robbed not to be named to one of the All-Conference teams! Punish them in Brooklyn! #LetsGoVCU
— artRAMinMN (@aVCURAMinMN) March 10, 2020
Then again, the tight end class wasn’t eye popping.
Instead, the Browns opted for Santos-Silva, who they hope could become a productive member of the squad.
Show Some Love
Most undrafted free agents don’t get any attention.
There might be a few columns written, some minor analysis.
And for 99% of the Browns undrafted free agents this cycle, that was the case.
Santos-Silva was a one-percenter.
Here’s the official press release the Browns posted after signing the former Red Raider:
“Santos-Silva (6-6, 261) enters his rookie season in 2022, following a two-year basketball career at Texas Tech (2020-22). Santos-Silva completed his career with 1,244 points, 957 rebounds and 61 blocked shots. He earned All-Big 12 honorable mention in 2022, accruing 175 points, 29 blocked shots and 151 rebounds. The Taunton, Mass. native originally transferred to Texas Tech after three years (2017-20) at VCU.”
Perhaps it was a sign Cleveland expects something from the two-sporter.
Or maybe the presser is just to save reporters from scouring the college football annals for a player that doesn’t exist.
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