When those around the league list the elite tight ends, names like Travis Kelce, George Kittle, and Mark Andrews routinely come up. 

And it is warranted. Both have a lengthy proven track record that makes them integral pieces of their respective team's game plans. However, Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku also wanted to be listed in the same class as Kelce or Andrews, and he knew to get there, he needed to work on one aspect of his game — route running.  

“I think route running was something that I really wanted to better myself with," he said. "This game is a game of interest, so just being slightly open to me is not going to cut it anymore. I want to really take the next step and work on it all.”

2022 was a year of mixed results for Njoku. He missed three games. He also finished the year with 628 recovering yards and four touchdowns. He was on pace for 763 receiving yards if he'd been healthy the entire season. 

Njoku was a consistent threat in the pass-catching game, at times functioning as a big receiver. He also never strayed away from blocking assignments as well — an underrated aspect of what he brings to the Browns' offense. 

In 2023, Njoku will have a full year of Deshaun Watson slinging passes, and that is sure to make things a bit easier for him. 

But to the question of if he has done enough to vault himself into the elite echelon of tight ends in the NFL, his answer there was non-committal. 

“I guess time will tell," he said. "We’ll see.”

The Browns definitely will. 

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Feature image via Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports.