Browns’ David Njoku has forced folks around the NFL to change tune on the player that he is
One of the more impressive stories for the Cleveland Browns last season was the evolution of tight end David Njoku. Njoku took a big step forward and has put himself into the top tier of tight ends around the NFL. ESPN recently polled coaches, executives, and scouts around the NFL to rank the best at […]
One of the more impressive stories for the Cleveland Browns last season was the evolution of tight end David Njoku. Njoku took a big step forward and has put himself into the top tier of tight ends around the NFL.
ESPN recently polled coaches, executives, and scouts around the NFL to rank the best at the position. According to those who voted, Njoku was ranked as the No. 6 tight end in the NFL. The highest he was ranked as the No. 3 spot.
In front of Njoku were Travis Kelce, George Kittle, Mark Andrews, Sam Laporta, and T.J. Hockenson. A season of 882 receiving yards and six touchdowns was enough for Njoku to spring into No. 6.
"It's probably taken him a while to get down the nuances of the game, but his size and athleticism have always been a problem for defenses," a veteran NFL personnel man said. "He's not polished, a little inconsistent when it comes to feel for the game, but he has gotten better. There's a lot to work with still."
Njoku was impressive last season down the stretch and recorded at least 90 receiving yards in three of the last four games. A season-high 134 yards on six catches against the New York Jets in Week 17 was the highlight of Njoku’s season.
Not only is Njoku one of the best pass-catching tight ends, he has become one of the standout blockers in the NFL. At 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, Njoku’s run-after-the-catch ability may be the best at the position and has him as basically another wideout in Cleveland’s offense.
In his seventh season, Njoku was able to make his first Pro Bowl. After suffering severe burns midway through the season, Njoku still played days later and did not let it be more than a bump in the road. That is not just the player that Njoku is, but the person he is too.
Still, just 28 years old, Njoku could take his game to the next level. If he can become that guy that is consistently a Pro Bowler, it is a big win for the Browns. It has taken years of development because Njoku has not always been this player, but the Browns have stayed bought in on him and it has paid off in the way that they had wished for.
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