David Njoku was all smiles after signing a four-year deal for $54.75 million. (TheLandOnDemand)
Browns vow to feature tight end David Njoku after big, new contract
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
Takeaways from Browns OTA practice and interviews …
Now that David Njoku is being paid in the company of elite tight ends George Kittle, Travis Kelce, Dallas Goedert and Mark Andrews, the expectation (hope?) is for Njoku to at least approach them in terms of production.
Kelce, 33, has nine NFL seasons in the books. Over the past five, he has averaged 96 receptions, 1,229 yards and 8.6 touchdowns.
Kittle, 29, has averaged 67 receptions, 898 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Goedert, 27, in four seasons, has averaged 48 receptions, 573 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Andrews, 27, also in four seasons, has averaged 65 receptions, 866 yards and 7.25 touchdowns.
Njoku turns 26 in July. In five seasons, his numbers are relatively puny: 30 receptions, 351 yards, 3 touchdowns.
Some of that production is the result of playing for three head coaches in three offensive systems. Some of it is the result of Njoku’s immaturity as a player. Some of it is not being an offensive focal point.
Just two years ago, Njoku entered the first season under coach Kevin Stefanski as TE3 behind Austin Hooper and Harrison Bryant. But now in Stefanski’s third year, Njoku is TE1 and Stefanski is leaning to more three-receiver sets that will leave Njoku as the only tight end on the field – a sweet spot Kelce has enjoyed his whole career.
“With Dave, [we] certainly want to feature him,” Stefanski said. “I think his skillset, as we all know -- great size, great length in terms of catching the football and being able to go up and pluck contested catches. I would speak to his development as a blocker. That is something that I am proud of David for his evolution of a blocker.
“He is a big part of what we plan to do. There is no doubt about that. I would just tell you what I am most impressed with Dave is just his – I would use the word ‘evolution’ again – of becoming a complete tight end. There are not a ton of guys who can block, run and catch.”
After the Browns made now-departed Hooper the highest-paid tight end in the NFL and then drafted Bryant, Njoku had on-again, off-again bouts with trade requests. Those days are over.
“I guess everything comes full circle,” he said. “Obviously in the past we’ve had our differences. To be able to sign a four-year deal here where it all started means everything to me.”
Njoku’s four-year deal would be worth $54.75 million if he sees it all. Actually, it sets up as two years for $28 million or three for $39.5 million. The dead-cap charges are not prohibitive after the second and third seasons.
Still, the deal has been criticized as a Browns overpay in many quarters.
“Seriously?” Njoku exclaimed when asked about the criticism. “It’s my first time hearing that, that the Browns overpaid me. It is what it is. We agreed together. And I feel like we are going to do great things in the future.”
Baker remembered
Myles Garrett and Baker Mayfield – the NFL’s No. 1 overall draft picks in 2017 and 2018 – were seen as the foundation blocks for a future Browns Super Bowl team. But now it’s Deshaun Watson at quarterback and Mayfield remains in exile, a quarterback without a team.
Garrett’s take on Mayfield’s demise was interesting because he initially didn’t mention his name.
“People come and go, and this is one of those changes,” Garrett said. “I hope the best for him. I hope he moves on and he does well for himself. I never wish ill on anyone who I’ve been up against or played with. [Joe] Burrow said it. He’s gonna land on his feet. He’s played well when he’s healthy. When he’s healthy, he can do some pretty good things for a team. Just has to find his niche again. I think he has to prove himself, has to get healthy. I think it worked for both teams.”
Garrett was asked if the bar has been set higher now with Watson at quarterback.
“I never felt the bar was any lower with the quarterback that was here before,” he said. “I feel like Baker always had the same mindset as me, as far as what we wanted to achieve. So the bar’s no higher. What we want to achieve is the Super Bowl. We want to be the very best team we can be. I think those two things are hand in hand when playing at our standards. I think [Watson] is a great playmaker. I think he has a little more depth in his game than Baker, as far as athleticism, but I think we can achieve what we want by working with each other.”
Here is what Njoku said about the seismic change at quarterback:
“It’s tough. I think I know more than most that this is a business. You just have to keep pushing, keep going. Obviously, Baker isn’t here anymore, or he’s not around. I still talk to him here and there, but we all understand it’s a business. Whoever we have right now, we have to keep going with him."
Brownie bits
Following the lead of Watson, Garrett is hosting defensive teammates on a bonding trip this weekend. “I’m taking my talents to South Beach (FL),” he said. Garrett joked that he considered taking his teammates to Providence (RI) or “downtown Pittsburgh.” …
The first Watson interception seen in an open media OTA was turned in by safety John Johnson …
No-shows at the “voluntary” OTA practice were defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, left guard Joel Bitonio, right tackle Jack Conklin (injury) and return specialist Jakeem Grant …
Stefanski was unflinching in not commenting about Watson’s legal issues. When asked if the Browns anticipated the latest civil lawsuit filed against Watson for sexual misconduct, the 23rd, Stefanski said, “I would tell you with all of that, respectfully, I am going to let the legal proceedings play out, and I am respectful of that process.”
