Coming into the league David Njoku was described as raw and a project. This did not stop the Cleveland Browns from using a first round pick on him in the 2017 NFL Draft. After an up and down rookie campaign and a slow start to this season, Njoku finally appears ready to breakout in a big way.
What are the reasons for a potential breakout for David Njoku? Besides having one season under his belt and refining his skills, Baker Mayfield is definitely a factor. Mayfield is targeting Njoku much more than other quarterbacks have in his short career. According to Graham Barfield of NFL.com, Njoku is being targeted 19 percent of the time by Mayfield compared to just 11 percent from all other Browns quarterbacks in his career. In the two games with Mayfield as the starter Njoku has been targeted 18 times. This has resulted in 11 receptions for 121 yards for Njoku. Njoku is still yet to find the end zone this season, but that should change in the near future.
Another factor is the presence of Jarvis Landry. Landry commands attention from opposing defenses that leave Njoku in more favorable matchups. This is a situation that Njoku did not have the luxury of last season due to the lack of reliable receiving targets. Having a quality receiver such as Landry will only make Njoku’s job easier. Besides Njoku, Landry is the only healthy reliable receiving target for Mayfield this season, (Rashard Higgins will be missing a few weeks with an MCL sprain).
The offense implemented under new offensive coordinator Todd Haley is also a factor. Haley has utilized his tight ends extensively in the past. The difference from previous tight ends and Njoku? Njoku is much more athletic than they were. Add in the fact the Browns lead the league in rushing and Mayfield is an excellent play-action passer and that is a recipe for success. A Baker Mayfield-David Njoku connection off of play-action can be deadly.
Is anything holding David Njoku back?
The only thing potentially holding David Njoku back is drops. Currently Njoku, along with other Browns receivers, are towards the top of the list in drops. Players drop passes and Njoku only has three, so it is not an outrageous number by any means. Just based off his track record it can be an issue from time to time.
As long as Mayfield is lining up under center and Njoku can avoid a chronic case of butterfingers he is primed to breakout in a big way. Njoku is receiving a high volume of targets and Baker Mayfield relies on him to move the ball downfield. A more and more confident Mayfield should continue to look his way in the coming weeks and that will provide ample opportunities for Njoku to make plays.
