Cleveland Browns: 3 under-the-radar players to watch in Week 5

1. David Njoku, Tight End

With how well rookie Harrison Bryant has played in a variety of roles, it might be easy to forget that the Browns are getting back the most explosive tight end in the league. David Njoku was hurt in Week 1, after making a massive impact on his 17 snaps, catching three passes for 50 yards and a touchdown, including an absolute Mossing of Ravens slot corner Tavon Young.

Njoku is just now coming off injured reserve, so it remains to be seen what his role will be, assuming he is active on Sunday. Both Bryant and Austin Hooper are doing their jobs very well, and it’s hard to argue with the results of the Cleveland offense over the past three games. Even still, Njoku is far too talented of a player not to work into the gameplan, and there are plenty of snaps to go around.

As expected, Cleveland has not featured three wide receivers in the passing game much, aside from the Week 1 loss, and that was out of necessity. Rashard Higgins and KhaDarel Hodge combined for 57 snaps that game, and now Hodge is on injured reserve. Higgins wasn’t even active against Dallas, as rookie Donovan Peoples-Jones made his NFL debut.

DPJ was deployed as the kick and punt returner, but did log 33 snaps on offense, although he was not targeted. He blocked well, which is all he was really asked to do. Njoku is a better blocker than Higgins or (presumably) Peoples-Jones and would provide a significant receiving upgrade over either player. Mayfield loves throwing to his tight ends, so why not make one a receiver?

This Browns offense is looking like the best the team has had since before 1999, and they’re about to get one of the most talented members back. That’s a pleasant thought, to say the least.