Is This The Year David Njoku Finally Breaks Out?
Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire via USA TODAY Sports
Throughout his six-year NFL career, mediocrity has dogged tight end David Njoku. He’s only garnered 80-plus receptions in two of the six seasons he’s been in the league and he’s never recorded more than four touchdown receptions in the same season. But, and this is a big “but,” he’s also never had a top-tier quarterback throwing him the ball. That all changes this season after a trial run toward the end of last year with Deshaun Watson under center.
If ever there was a time for Njoku to take a big step forward and become one of the leagues best, it’s now. And Cleveland needs it. If the Browns are going to live up to their high expectations, they are gonna need big time production out of the tight end spot. Njoku has the tools. The moment is here for him to make good on them.
The former Hurricane was drafted by the Browns in 2017 but only garnered 32 catches for 386 yards and four touchdowns in 16 games during his rookie season. He truly broke onto the scene in 2018 when he was the Browns’ second-leading receiver behind Jarvis Landry, recording 56 catches for 639 yards and four touchdowns, which were all career highs. It was Njoku’s best season to date; his production decreased over the past four seasons.
He only played in four games in 2019 and then made just five starts in 2020 after he requested a trade from the Browns when the team brought in Austin Hooper in free agency. But Njoku ended up sticking around after Hooper only caught 84 passes for 780 yards and seven touchdowns in two seasons.
The 2020 season was the first time that Njoku played a big role since 2018. He tallied 80 catches for 628 yards and four touchdowns. He averaged 10.83 yards per catch while only receiving 10 or more targets in just one game.
In Week 3 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Njoku was targeted a season-high 10 times and tallied a nine receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown. It was a small window into what Njoku can do for the Browns this season with Watson under center.
He stands 6’4”, weighs 246 lbs., and gives the Browns a strong red-zone target. Of the 19 regular-season touchdowns in his career, 15 of them have come in the red zone, with three coming just outside of it as he caught touchdowns of 23, 21, and 28 yards in 2017. Giving Watson a target like Njoku can only help in those situations, and it seems as though Njoku sees it himself. During their minicamp in June, Njoku confirmed that Watson was returning to the form of the quarterback that he was in Houston.
“He’s locked in. The energy’s there. He’s, so far, I think every single ball he’s thrown is precise, on the money, so that excites me as well as the rest of the team, the offense. So we’re all excited,” Njoku said during a media availability in June.
Njoku also believes that he and Watson can become another one of the top-tier tight end/quarterback duos that have taken the league by storm.
“Obviously we’re building the chemistry now and having it roll over to Week 1, so that’s very uplifting for us knowing that we’re going to have him the whole year,” Njoku said.
Watson and Njoku have the potential to be that next top-tier duo. The way the Browns’ roster is constructed right now, Njoku gives Watson a tall, strong receiver to target in tight areas as opposed to speed threats like Amari Cooper and Elijah Moore.
Njoku is an athletic specimen, which was probably one of the reasons the Browns didn’t trade him in 2020. His potential is through the roof. The Browns also gave Njoku a four-year extension last summer, showing a vote of confidence for the young tight end.
During their five games together last year — Njoku missed Watson’s return as he was listed as inactive — the two connected for 17 receptions, 146 yards, and two touchdowns. That came without a full offseason to build a rapport with Watson, who has been able to utilize his tight ends to great success in the past.
Although Watson favored DeAndre Hopkins (25 touchdowns) and Will Fuller (22 touchdowns) in Houston, the former Clemson Tiger connected with tight end Darren Fells for 11 touchdowns and Jordan Thomas and Jordan Akins combined for seven touchdowns as well. Njoku has shown the ability to be better than both. Alongside Cooper and Moore, he can slip into empty zones that their speed will open up.
A full few months together, working out the timing on routes and what each player likes, will only help as the two look to make an impact on the 2023 season. But in order to do so, Njoku needs to take another step forward. It finally seems like he is poised to do just that with a top-tier quarterback stepping under center.
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