The role of David Njoku moving forward

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku is not a perfect fit for the new offense that will be used under Kevin Stefanski in 2020. 

The future and use of David Njoku in Cleveland is certainly one worth discussing. At one point it was unclear and it appeared the Browns might move on from Njoku. With a new head coach in Kevin Stefanski, things have changed. The offense that the Browns will run next season traditionally relies heavily on the tight end position. On the surface that’s great, but the David Njoku is not a traditional tight end and that poses a problem. 

Run blocking from the tight end position is a requirement for this offense to work. The problem? Run blocking is not a strength of Njoku. The Browns have brought in other tight ends to handle the run blocking duties while focusing on Njoku’s receiving skills. 

What should the Browns do?

This is pretty simple. Stop pretending that David Njoku is a tight end and realize what he really is. A big bodied receiver. 

There is potential for Njoku to be a complete and total matchup nightmare. Just not as a tight end. Split Njoku out wide and have him as the third receiver behind Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry. 

The Browns should have David Njoku work over the middle of the field and utilize his size and speed to their advantage. Njoku is too fast for most linebackers to keep up with him and too big for defensive backs to cover him entirely.

What this plan would also do is provide a solution to their third wide receiver problem. Instead of debating over what to do with Rashard Higgins, they can just slide Njoku over and address the tight end position in a much better way. With an actual tight end. 

The Browns can evaluate other internal options at tight end before looking at free agents and the draft. It is about being flexible and realizing just what David Njoku is and that is not a tight end.