Complaining about David Njoku’s new Browns contract is shortsighted
Does it look like the Cleveland Browns overpaid to keep former first-round pick David Njoku, giving the tight end a four-year, $56.75 million contract?
A lot of media and fans point will scream “Yes,” considering Njoku has just 239 career targets, totaling 1,820 yards and 15 scores (including playoffs).
Austin Hooper was paid for what he did with the Falcons, where he was a catch machine. He had 71 and 75 catches, respectively, in his final two seasons with Atlanta before coming to the Browns. His two years with the Browns netted catch totals of 46 and 38, respectively.
In Hooper, the Browns broke the cardinal sin of analytics: Paying someone for what they’ve done, for another team. In total, Hooper netted just north of $23 million with the Browns. He was a fine player, but lacked explosiveness, notably going down immediately after the catch.
That’s not Njoku, who IS explosive and has home run ability from the tight end position. He’s not George Kittle or Travis Kelce, but they bring the same type of potential to every play.
Something else to ponder as talk radio gabs itself into a frenzy over whether the money is deserved: The money is guaranteed at $28 million, so if this goes drastically wrong, the Browns can say sayonara to the Chief at the end of 2023. They were going to bring him back at the $10 million franchise tag, anyway, so for a few million more, you’ve got you’re No. 1 tight end spot locked down.
Plus, Njoku is playing with the best quarterback he’s ever taken the field with in Deshaun Watson. A great quarterback should elevate the play of those around him. Don’t like what his numbers were before Watson? Guess what. They’re going to get a lot better.
And I keep going back to explosiveness. Whom does the Browns passing game possess that screams big play? For certain, I’d offer the name of Kareem Hunt. Others will say Amari Cooper, although he wouldn’t be the No. 1 receiver on a lot of other teams. I hope he can be that for Cleveland’s offense, but only time will tell.
Next. 3 defensive players who may have breakout seasons. dark
Bigger, faster, stronger players, yep, this just in: You still need ’em and Njoku fits the mold.