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Cleveland Browns: 3 Free agent tight ends to challenge David Njoku

By Randy Gurzi

CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 15: Tyler Eifert #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs into the end zone for a touchdown during the first quarter of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Paul Brown Stadium on September 15, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 15: Tyler Eifert #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs into the end zone for a touchdown during the first quarter of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Paul Brown Stadium on September 15, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Browns
CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 07: David Njoku #85 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates a play in the first half against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 7, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

The Cleveland Browns went away from David Njoku in 2019 which could motivate him in 2020. Another motivator would be bringing in some competition.

When drafted in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, David Njoku was expected to be a huge offensive weapon for the Cleveland Browns. The Miami tight end had more size than most safeties could handle (6-foot-4 and 246-pounds) and was much too quick for linebackers to stick with.

As a rookie, he started to show he could be a problem for defenses in the NFL. He had 32 receptions for 386 yards with four touchdowns. He managed that with some rough quarterback play under center.

Njoku then took a step forward when the Browns added Tyrod Taylor and then turned to rookie Baker Mayfield full-time in Week 3. With consistent play from the quarterback, the second-year player was able to catch 56 passes for 639 yards and scored another four touchdowns. Then, things got ugly.

In 2019, Njoku entered the season with a chip on his shoulder after John Dorsey called him out in the offseason for his deficiencies in the blocking game. Njoku didn’t get a chance to prove he had improved as he was lost in Week 2 as he suffered a concussion and broken wrist.

After returning from the IR late in the season, he hardly saw the field as Freddie Kitchens was clearly not a fan of him any longer. Njoku finished with just five catches for 41 yards and a touchdown. And all but one reception and four yards of that came in Week 1.

New head coach Kevin Stefanski might have better plans in mind for Njoku than Kitchens did, but that doesn’t mean the Browns can’t be proactive. With free agency set to begin, Cleveland could add one of these three tight ends to push Njoku for snaps, which could improve his play as competition brings out the best in everyone.

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