Browns made the smart decision re-signing David Njoku

The Cleveland Browns continue to lock up their young talent on Friday when they signed tight end David Njoku to a contract extension.

Friday afternoon NFL reporter Ian Rapoport reported that the Cleveland Browns and tight end David Njoku had reached an agreement on a 4-year, $56.75 million contract extension. This deal includes $28 million guaranteed and it averages out to a little over $14 million per season.

The past two seasons Njoku has spent as tight end two on the depth chart but showed massive improvements in the weakest parts of his game. When he first entered the league he was only 21 years old and an athletic freak but an incredibly raw prospect. Early on he struggled with drops and was not a good blocker for the Browns.

However, things have really changed for Njoku the last couple of seasons since head coach Kevin Stefanski has arrived. Njoku has put in the time and work to make sure he improved in problem areas and under Stefanski has become a really great blocker in addition to a much more efficient pass catcher.

In 2017 and 2018 Njoku had a total of 12 drops and was a liability in the running game as he continued to develop. However in the past three seasons combined Njoku has five drops total and has been one of the better run-blocking tight ends, showing that he is developing into his potential.

In 2018 when Njoku received the bulk of the tight end targets as tight end number one he finished that season in the top eight in receiving yards amongst tight ends in the NFL. He has since grown into a more reliable receiver and likely with the bulk of the targets this year should be firmly in the top ten again.

This continues to be a strong offseason for general manager Andrew Berry as he sends a message to his players that if they perform they will get taken care of. Njoku still has more potential to tap into, you don’t see this level of an athlete at the position very often.

Should the Browns be able to keep developing Njoku as a player he will more than earn his massive extension.