Cleveland Browns sign tight end David Njoku

The Cleveland Browns moved one step closer to signing all their draft picks after agreeing to a rookie contract with tight end David Njoku.

The Cleveland Browns have come to terms with first-round draft pick David Njoku on a rookie contract.

The team announced the deal on its website.

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Njoku was the third of Cleveland’s first-round selections in the 2017 NFL Draft. The Browns traded their first pick in the second round (No. 33) to the Green Bay Packers for the 29th overall pick in the first round to select Njoku, who is expected to be an important part of the team’s passing game.

Even though they have yet to see him in game action, the Browns were comfortable enough with Njoku’s game that they released veteran tight end Gary Barnidge a few weeks ago, clearing a path for Njoku to line up as the starter when the season opens in September.

A two-year player at Miami, the 6-foot-4 and 246-pound Njoku averaged 16.2 yards per catch last season and his 11.2 yards per reception were the most by any draft-elgibile tight end, according to Pro Football Focus. He finished his collegiate career with 64 receptions for 1,060 yards and nine touchdowns.

According to his draft profile at NFL.com, Njoku is an:

"Ascending pass catching talent with elite athleticism and enough fight in his run blocking to believe that he can be lined up anywhere on the field at any time. Njoku should annihilate the combine with monster numbers in speed and explosion, but his play on the field shows he’s more than a combine warrior. He is still growing into his body and has to add to his play strength, but his playmaking potential and elite traits should make him a first-round pick and a future Pro Bowler."

Njoku’s signing means the Browns have now agreed to deals with nine of their 10 draft picks, having previously come to terms with Myles Garrett, DeShone Kizer, Larry Ogunjobi, Howard Wilson, Rod Johnson, Caleb Brantley, Zane Gonzalez and Matthew Dayes.

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The only draft pick still unsigned is safety Jabrill Peppers.