David Njoku has a new lease on his career after Browns GM and coaching changes

Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.

Seventh in a series.

The blueprint of the Browns’ player transaction season will be written after a thorough evaluation of the roster that coach Kevin Stefanski and GM Andrew Berry inherit from their predecessors.

Stefanski and his coaching staff, and Berry and all the scouts, must have a clear understanding of their own players before they head to the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis beginning Feb. 23.

We’re previewing each Browns position group to set up yet another important offseason for the franchise with the longest playoff drought in the NFL.

(Salary information courtesy of overthecap.com)

Tight end

Position coach: Drew Petzing, 32.

Much like the career path of head coach Kevin Stefanski, Petzing has been exposed to a lot at an early age. In 2013, at the age of 26, he interned in Browns football operations in the Joe Banner regime. By the end of that season, he spent time on defense, special teams, offensive line and tight end. He joined the Vikings the following year while Stefanski was tight ends coach. Petzing then graduated to assistant wide receivers coach, assistant quartebacks coach and last year was promoted to receivers coach when Stefanski was coordinator. “I think he’s one of the smartest coaches I’ve been around,” Stefanski said.

Players under contract (with projected 2020 salary cap figures in millions)

Stephen Carlson ($.585), David Njoku ($3.03).

Players with expiring contracts

Pharaoh Brown, Ricky Seals-Jones.

Overview

Probably no player benefitted from the GM and coaching change more than Njoku. He was the 29th overall player taken in the 2017 draft by the Analytics 1.0 regime in which new GM Andrew Berry participated, but was viewed differently by the John Dorsey regime and eventually fell into disfavor with coach Freddie Kitchens in 2019. After averaging 44 catches, 512 yards and four touchdowns his first two seasons, Njoku disappeared because of a neck injury and entrance into the Kitchens Doghouse. He had five catches for 41 yards and one touchdown in a miserable year. Just in time for Njoku, the regime change may result in the pick-up of his fifth-year option in May. Njoku’s neck injury gave some unforeseen play time to Carlson, and he responded with a couple big catches among his five receptions and some heads-up play on special teams. He fits in, too, as an Ivy Leaguer, though he played at Princeton and not at Harvard – the unofficial alma mater of the Browns’ front office.

What’s needed

Stefanski favors the so-called 22 alignment – two receivers, two tight ends. Ideally, each would be versatile in both required disciplines of blocking and catching. Njoku is a deficient blocker, so Stefanski’s second tight end absolutely must be a proficient blocker first. Potentially, Carlson could fill that role. But it’s probable that all the new tight ends added will have the all-around skill-set Stefanski seeks and not be a converted college receiver.

(Next: Quarterback.)

Part 1: Defensive line

Part 2: Linebacker

Part 3: Defensive secondary

Part 4: Running back

Part 5: Offensive line

Part 6: Wide receiver