Transformed into a team player willing to block when asked, tight end David Njoku now wants to stay with the Browns for another contract. (TheLandOnDemand)
David Njoku’s mind is right, and his game has become more than high-point catches
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
David Njoku, master of the high-point spectacular catch, enjoys blocking now.
The man who asked to be traded last year after the Browns signed a tight end in free agency and then drafted another one, wants to stay.
He is instructing his agent, whom he fired when he wanted to be traded and now has re-hired, to pursue a new contract with the Browns.
This is what happens when a team is transformed from perennial loser to AFC championship contender.
“Winning obviously cures almost everything,” Njoku said. “Winning with my teammates here, there’s not really a better feeling than that.”
And so, you begin to realize why the Browns have resisted parting with Njoku and re-invested a guaranteed $6 million in his fifth-year option even though he began the Kevin Stefanski era as the team’s third tight end.
If they could just adjust his attitude to a team-first mentality, they must have figured, Njoku could be the athletically-gifted, mismatch-nightmare that neither of the other tight ends – Austin Hooper and Harrison Bryant – ever could be.
“David’s playing with a mentality that he’s trying to help our team out,” said Baker Mayfield. “That’s what we want from everybody.”
Njoku’s mindset began to change in the stretch drive to the playoffs last season.
As Stefanski’s tight end-centric offensive system was cranking out 400-plus-yard and 40-point offensive days, it finally dawned on Njoku that being part of the wheel of a juggernaut was not so bad after all.
“[My] mindset change and everything else got easier,” he said.
Like others on the team, Njoku learned how vital the tight ends were in Stefanski’s offense even if they were not leading the team in receptions.
“I actually think we were a big part [of the offense] last year,” he said. “Obviously, we were doing some more of the dirty work than catching, which is completely fine. This is a team game, so whatever it takes to win, we’ll do.”
The dirty work – primarily blocking in the two- and three-tight end formations – was not something Njoku was particularly fond of, what with all his athletic gifts.
“Yeah, I love it now,” he said. “I really got to enjoy blocking and doing all that dirty work. It kind of excited me towards the end of last year and now I really enjoy it.”
Which is not to say Stefanski will forget about Njoku’s physicality, speed, and spectacular flair for high-pointing a Mayfield throw that no defender can defend.
On Thursday, Njoku outmanned Giants safeties Jabrill Peppers and Xavier McKinney on vintage Njoku receptions of sky-balls.
“Just their sheer size, they are always open,” Stefanski said of Njoku’s mold of tight end. “You just have to go vertically up to go get the ball where you do not have to create separation horizontally in a lot of cases. I think they are very friendly targets for the quarterback.”
Mayfield said, “He’s put on some really good weight. He’s a large individual to begin with. That comes with a unique skillset to where he’s able to run.
“The thing we’ve told David, if he sprints and runs, people are going to be scared for the vertical routes he brings to the table, so we’re working with him on that. And he has the natural ability to high-point the ball, so we’re working on that, as well, and continue to expand on that.
“That makes me feel very comfortable with the one-on-ones. And the 50-50 balls, it’s either theirs or nobody’s catch. So it’s an easy mindset when they’re able to make plays like that.”
Last year, Njoku replaced original agent, Malki Kawa, with Drew Rosenhaus, to conjure an escape plan out of the Browns through trade. When the Browns resisted and then picked up the $6 million guaranteed fifth-year option in March, Njoku returned to Kawa. He wants to pursue a new deal rather than go through free agency after this season.
That could get tricky, given all the other contract extensions on the plate of GM Andrew Berry. But it’s another good problem to have when your team reaches this stage of evolution.
Njoku was a member of the first-round rookie class that suffered through a 0-16 season in 2017, followed by 7-8-1 and 6-10. Last year, the Browns were 11-5 and won a wild-card game in Pittsburgh.
Who in their right mind would want to leave now?
It’s good to know that Njoku’s thinking better these days.
