It sounds like David Njoku wants to stick with the Browns after all. Despite his previous trade demands (and flip-flops on the matter), the tight end says he wants to move forward with Cleveland
“I’ve been here (Cleveland) for four years going on five,” Njoku said on Friday. “I don’t know anything different. I want to keep being here.”
Njoku pushed for a trade last summer and doubled down prior to the 2020 trade deadline. He also made it sound like he wanted out as recently as February. However, it seems like Njoku is now in a good place with the Browns.
The Browns signed Austin Hooper to a big contract last year and drafted Harrison Bryant, which reduced Njoku’s role in the offense. He finished out 2020 with just 19 catches for 213 yards and one touchdown. That was a far cry from his best work in 2018 — 56 grabs for 639 yards and four TDs. In between, he lost most of 2019 to injury.
While he’s shown plenty of flashes of potential, the U of M product has yet to live up to his first-round status. But, despite all the drama and the crowded TE chart, the Browns still opted to exercise his fifth-year option. For now, he’s got one year and ~$6MM to go on his deal.
Lolololol
He just wants playing time. I get that, and Njoku is a talented receiver, but with Bryant being drafted and Hooper’s signing I think a trade or free agency would be best for Njoku. He’s not much of a blocker, but several teams could use him as a receiver if they are so inclined (New Orleans comes to mind, possibly Green Bay). He would certainly get another contract, and likely more snaps than it seems like he’d get going forward in Cleveland.
He was Cleveland’s best blocking TE by far last year. He stepped up big time. I think he was graded like top 15 as far as TE run blocking efficiency
That’s good. I’ll take your word for it because I thought the opposite was true. But that’s great. It’s even more a reason that Njoku deserves a full time role as a starter, which I don’t think will happen in Cleveland. If they hadn’t drafted Bryant, it’d be good for them, but if the leap from Njoku was that huge, he definitely deserves a starting role, because that was the biggest weakness in his game. Thanks for the correction.
trade would work better for him. He has practically negligible playing time in Cleveland as their current game plan stands. A move to Houston or New Orleans would benefit him dearly.
Apparently you haven’t been following the Browns this summer. He looks great and I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t end up as the #1 tight end. Mayfield has more of a connection with him than he does Hooper
I’d like a contract.
I’d prefer we keep him and trade Hooper after the season.
If as you pointed out earlier is true (my mistake), then it sounds as if that’d be preferable. But I doubt that the team would sour on a FA signing that big after a year. If they keep all three, would Njoku be used as a receiver (something he could certainly do)? I know Cleveland has a litany of players at the position, but if Njoku is on the roster, it would behoove the Browns to get him in on more snaps wherever they can. At the very least, it would improve his trade value, if they don’t want to start him. Otherwise, trading Hooper would seem the only alternative, which seems too soon to me for a move to be made this year.
They’re not trading anyone this year. Next year they may have to make some decisions regarding the wide receivers and maybe Hooper or Njoku
are you high??? Hooper 2 time Pro bowl TE, Njoku stone hands stiff that wanted to be traded last yr. Hooper 260 Catches 20 Tds, went to Stanford can Block, Njoku 112 Catches 11 Tds not a good Blocker. Drops very easy catches right in his hands. Hooper Catch% 74.9
His 65.7 with the Browns last yr still better then Njoku’s. 59.9 Njoku had his best yr last yr with only 19 catches because his catch% was decent. I don’t like his attitude. I think the Browns are a better team without Beckham as well.
Stonehands Njoku wants an Extension!!!!!!! He #1 does not deserve an Extension. #2 Catch the Ball. #3 He is Over Rated. He was not worthy of a 1st Rd pick with his spotty Production. He needs to do a better job of Blocking. Sashi Brown drafted him with the Help of the Idiot Baseball guy. In the same draft they took Deshone Kizer. Only 2 of 10 Draft choices are still with the team Garrett and Njoku. They let Ogunjobi walk in free Agency.
Meanwhile the Browns could have had George Kittle from TE U (IOWA) But then again they had a Real Football Mastermind as the GM when they drafted Njoku Sashi Brown and that Baseball Genius helping him.
What a Sad, Sad, Sad Draft. but the one the year before was worse.