CLEVELAND, OHIO – AUGUST 30: Tight end David Njoku #85 of the Cleveland Browns (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
David Njoku’s value is as low as it has ever been in his entire career, but there will still be a market for a 250-pound tight end with speed.
After signing a Pro Bowl tight end in Austin Hooper and using a fourth-round pick on Harrison Bryant in the 2020 NFL Draft, many assumed that it was a forgone conclusion that former first-round pick David Njoku was going to be traded as Kevin Stefanski wanted to remake the roster. While he initially denied a trade to fight for his spot, Njoku’s time in Cleveland appears to be nearing its end.
Mary Kay Cabot is reporting that Njoku is requesting a trade ahead of the November 3 deadline in search of playing time.
Njoku’s value is as low as it has ever been in his entire career, but there will still be a market for a 250-pound tight end with his athleticism and receiving skills. These three tight-end needy teams should get Njoku and his agent on the phone right now.
These three teams should look into trading for David Njoku
3
Carolina Panthers
NFC South
While Joe Brady should be given plenty of credit for the masterful job he’s done in turning Teddy Bridgewater into a viable starting quarterback and Robby Anderson into a No. 1 wide receiver, one of the downsides to his offense is the fact that the tight end often becomes an afterthought in the passing game. Between Ian Thomas and Chris Manhertz, Carolina’s tight ends have just 10 catches for 72 yards.
While none of these guys are Tony Gonzalez, Brady would likely involve the tight end more if he had someone of Njoku’s caliber given his ability to stretch the field and flex out to a wide position. With his value low, Carolina should swoop in.
Carolina is extremely young on both sides of the ball, but that offense might be among the league’s most exciting once Christian McCaffrey returns to full strength. While Njoku’s arrival might slightly cut into Anderson and DJ Moore’s production, it could make Carolina’s offense as a whole more well-rounded. In a wide-open NFC South, this would be quite the coup for Carolina.