Five potential trade destinations for Cleveland Browns TE David Njoku.
David Njoku wants out and has requested the Cleveland Browns trade him, as broken by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Agent Drew Rosenhaus added that it’s in the “best interest” of his client to move on from the Browns, and the former first-round pick would like to be dealt by the beginning of training camp.
A good sect of fans didn’t even think Njoku would be on the roster at this point, as trade rumors started circling during the season. After he got injured in Week 2 against the Jets, the Miami product fell out favor with the coaching staff and the front office.
One game, in particular stands out. Think back to the December matchup at home against the Bengals. Njoku had a terrible first half and he basically disappeared on the sideline.
When it looked like his time was running out, the Browns cleaned house, axing their GM and head coach, giving Njoku’s Browns’ career new life.
The organization even gave him a vote of confidence by picking up his fifth-year option. It was a move that surprised some, considering the Browns had spent resources in free agency (Austin Hooper) and the draft (Hunter Bryant).
Considering he doesn’t turn 24 until the end of the month, the organization should be weary about giving up too soon on Njoku. He has flashed potential, especially during the 2018 season. Plus, while Bryant is a talented prospect, it may be a bit much to ask him to come and be the second tight end on the roster.
If the Browns do grant Njoku’s request, these could be five potential destinations.
1. Patriots
The Patriots haven’t filled the huge void by Rob Gronkowski, who was retired for the 2019 season. Gronk came back, and New England granted his wish to hook back up with Tom Brady in Tampa.
If the season started today, roster prognosticators have the Pats rolling with Matt LaCosse and then it gets complicated with a flurry of rookies looking to make a name from themselves, including Devin Asiasi, Dalton Keene and undrafted rookie free-agent Rashod Berry.
I was very high on Berry coming out of the draft because he seems poised to get plenty of chances–if there’s still be a training camp.
But now with the addition of Cam Newton, the Pats might want to upgrade the position, as Lacosse caught just 13 balls for 131 yards a season ago.
Njoku battled injury in 2019, so his stats weren’t all great, but he’s still just 23 years old, and many are still struck by his tantalizing potential.
Bellichick seems like an old grump nobody wants to deal with, but Cleveland did swing the trade for Jamie Collins a few years back. That said, he couldn’t seem to find his phone when the Browns came calling for Jimmy Garroppolo.
The Patriots have a huge need, the question just becomes about New England meeting Cleveland’s asking price, dealing, presumably, a lower-round draft pick.
2. Jags
It just seems like yesterday when ESPN was forecasting the Cleveland Browns would trade David Njoku.
The four-letter network dreamed up a scenario of Cleveland shipping Njoku to Jacksonville for pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue. Writer Field Yates also had the Browns getting a second-round pick, in what was viewed as a win-win for both teams.
The Browns clearly want to beef up their defensive end position, and the idea of adding a draft pick seems like too much for the analytically driven front office to give up, especially since Cleveland signed Austin Hooper and drafted Hunter Bryant.
On top of the tight end weapons, there’s OBJ, Jarvis Landry, Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. There really aren’t enough footballs to go around, even if Baker does what he does best, and that’s spread the wealth.
Adding Ngakoue would almost certainly mean the end of Olivier Vernon, and the Browns would then save a little now and a lot later by not extending Njoku. The belief is they might try and work something out after picking up his fifth-year option just a couple months ago.
3. Colts
Even though they drafted Michael Pittman Jr., the Colts need a pass catching option at tight end for new quarterback Phillip Rivers.
Remember Rivers’ glory days throwing the ball to Antonio Gates? David Njoku could step in on day one and be a threat. He’d be joining former Pro Bowler Jack Doyle, but the veteran isn’t a true receiving threat, having caught 43 passes for over 400 yards a season ago. He had. 80 receptions in 2017 and 59 in 2016.
Under Frank Reich, the Colts have used multiple tight-end packages and when things are going well, the scheme is pretty effective.
Behind Jack Doyle, Reich figures to deploy Trey Burton right now, but he’s more of a blocking tight end, at 6-foot-2 and doesn’t figure to factor much into the Colts’ passing game.
Reich’s history shows that he may take up to four tight ends (depending on what they do at fullback) and if they do, there’s no question a healthy Njoku would should to the top of their depth chart.
4. Redskins
The Redskins released Jordan Reed and Vernon Davis retired, meaning if the season were to start tomorrow, new head coach Ron Rivera would probably start Jeremy Sprinkle. Interestingly, like Njoku, Sprinkle was taken in the 2017 draft, but in the fifth round.
His career’s been a slow brew, but he by far had his biggest statistical output last season, catching 26 balls for 241 yards and a touchdown.
Njoku’s best season came in 2018, when he caught 56 balls for 639 years and four scores. Everyone expected him to take a leap in 2019, but he fell and injured his wrist in Week 2 against the Jets, then fell out of favor with coaching staff and the front office.
New personnel boss Andrew Berry seemed happy to give Njoku a second chance, picking up his fifth year option, but as Drew Rosenhaus, Njoku’s agent sees it, a trade would be in his client’s best interests.
As for Washington, there are some who are ready to close the book on Dwayne Haskins after one season. I think he just need some options and a tight end can be a quarterback’s, especially a young’ quarterback’s best friend.
Haskins has a familiar face former Buckeye and breakout rookie Terry McLaurin, but he needs a lot more friends. Njoku would be a nice start.
After watching the Trent Williams fiasco, you’ve got to wonder if the two teams could get a deal done. By stubbornly refusing to even engage in trade talks, Washington lost leverage, getting peanuts in the deal that sent the left tackle to San Francisco.
Usually the Browns’ front office takes the disfunction crown, but not anymore!
5. Panthers
The Panters lost Greg Olson after the 2019 season, making them thin at the tight end position. Then, they didn’t really do anything in the draft, making Matt Ruhule is left to bank on 2018 fourth-round pick Ian Thomas.
Thomas had about a decent as a rookie season as a fourth rounder could have in 2018, catching 36 passes for 333 yards two scores. That production dropped significantly in year two, as he caught just 16 of 30 targets for a 136 yards.
So, was Carolina’s inactivity at the position due to their confidence in Thomas taking a big step forward, or was it because they weren’t high on any prospects in the draft?
In adding Njoku, Carolina would add a player to the top of the depth chart who still has a higher ceiling than Cooper.
Of all the teams listed here, Carolina’s need may be the greatest.