Browns TE David Njoku dropped a bombshell this week in requesting a trade from the team, and a trade he would like to get done before training camp begins no less. This comes after the team picked up the 23 year old’s fifth year option, worth 6.4 million. That wasn’t the only move at the TE spot for the Browns however, signing Pro Bowler Austin Hooper to a four-year 44 million dollar deal and drafting Harrison Bryant with their 4thround pick. All this talent acquisition at the TE has apparently left Njoku feeling like the odd man out, according to agent Drew Rosenhaus. After an injury sidelined the first round pick in 2019, it appears Njoku sees the writing on the wall and wants out of town. But where exactly to is the question many are asking.
Speculations are abounding with potential landing spots for the 23 year old tight end. Washington (and potentially their new name and rebranding) could be one of those as their top TE was Jeremy Sprinkle, who averaged a measly 6 yards per target and had only 1 TD throughout the entire season. The Redskins are also rife with salary cap space and have a young QB in Dwayne Haskins who is in desperate need of weapons to surround him. Another potential landing spot is the New England Patriots, who have lacked a true No. 1 TE since the departure of Rob Gronkowski and need to surround new QB signing Cam Newton with weapons if their offense is going to flourish. One last potential landing spot is in sunny Arizona, where Kliff Kingbury and his Cards seem to be going all in to surround young QB Kyler Murray with weapons, with the acquisition of Deandre Hopkins to help with the aging Larry Fitzgerald. It seems Cliff is trying to bring his “Air Raid” offense to the NFL. But where does this leave Kansas City?
We all know Andy Reid loves to run two TE sets. Njoku ranked 11thin run blocking among TE’s and would make the perfect complement to the over the middle to the sure handed weapon that is Travis Kelce. Njoku also isn’t too shabby of a receiver himself, coming down with 639 yards on 56 receptions in 2018, and was on pace for similar numbers before his injury last year. He is projected to cost a 4thor 5thround pick on the trade market, which for a solid second tight end seems like a steal. And Andy is known to use his 2ndstring tight ends heavily, just look at how much usage he got out of Demetrius Harris, who ended up scoring 9 TDs and racking up 754 yards for the Bears after we highlighted his talent here in KC. Imagine the double TE sets we could run with Kelce on one side and former first round pick Njoku on the other? And if there is one thing Brett Veach loves, its going after former 1stround picks. They simply have the intangibles you cant teach, and with some great coaching (which the Chiefs have in spades) you can unlock their true potential. This trade might be longshot, but it would be make the Chiefs offense that much more unstoppable.
