Cleveland Browns: Grading all the first-round moves from Thursday
David Njoku, Tight End, Miami (Florida)
Just when everyone thought the Browns’ night was over the Browns traded back into the first-round to make a third first-round selection. The Browns traded up with the Green Bay Packers for the No. 29 overall pick.
In the deal the Browns gave up No. 33, the first pick of the second round Friday night and No. 108 overall. With the selection, the front office made another surprise in the selection of David Njoku. Njoku is only 20 years old and is still growing into his large 6-foot-4, 250 pound frame. At Miami he caught 64 passes for 1,060 yards and nine touchdowns in two seasons.
Njoku gives the Browns’ tight end position more athleticism to go along with 6-foot-3 Seth DeValve, who was drafted in the fourth round in 2016. Njoku is extremely raw at the position but he is an athletic freak who is a mismatch nightmare.
The hope for Njoku is to continue to develop him to be an all-around inline tight end. For now, Njoku will succeed on his pure athletic ability and give the Browns offense a huge weapon where he can line up and be a big slot receiver or on the line.
B+. Njoku is a rising talent that will only get better as he matures into his athletic frame. He has big time playmaking ability and gives the Browns a huge weapon.. 1st round, pick #29. . David Njoku
Overall, the Browns had an exceptional opening night of the draft. Not only did the Browns come away with by far the most talented player in Myles Garrett, they were able to make two more selections while also adding a first-round pick for next year. Through the selections of Garrett, Peppers and Njoku, it become evident what types of players this current front office is coveting.
All three players are 21 years old or younger and all have elite athletic traits that are off the charts. The organization is putting its emphasis on acquiring young athletic talent that they can mold into the players they want.
Additionally, none of the three first-round selections by the Browns have ever had a surgery.
Next: 3 takeaways from Round 1
The picks of Garrett and Peppers gives Gregg Williams’ defense two elite talents to build the defensive scheme around. In Njoku, the offense adds another much-needed big-bodied target for whoever is the starting quarterback.