The Cleveland Browns signed tight end David Njoku to an incredibly risky four-year $56.75 million contract extension.
Any contract extension is a risk by a team. That risk grows as the dollar figure increases. It becomes a very large risk when the player being extended still has not lived up to his first round draft status. That is the state of affairs when it comes to David Njoku and the Cleveland Browns.
Coming into the draft Njoku was profiled as a raw developmental project type player. During his five seasons in the league those skills have improved slightly, but he is still a very raw player who is nowhere near refinement. The idea of what Njoku could be versus what he actually is leads to overvaluing from fans and media alike.
In one of the more risky moves from Cleveland, the team signed Njoku to a four-year $56.75 million deal with $28 million guaranteed. The deal will average $14.1875 million per year which ranks fifth for the tight end position. That is quite a bit of money to be paying a player who has not done much in the production department.
On the field production or lackthereof
The 148 catches, 1,754 yards, and 15 touchdowns in five seasons from David Njoku is underwhelming. That works out to 2.3 receptions and 27 yards per over 65 career games. As mentioned in a previous article, Njoku is more likely to have a game with 20 or less yards receiving (37) than 21 or more (28). This is hardly the production that usually leads a big time contract.
While it must be said that Njoku had Baker Mayfield as his quarterback for the majority of his career and his special talent is making his pass catchers struggle in the production department. Mayfield manages to get the least out of most receiving targets when the goal is for the polar opposite. In addition to quarterback issues, Njoku missing most of 2019 combined with being in and out of multiple doghouses has not helped matters.
The best season for David Njoku came in 2018 with 56 receptions for 639 yards and four touchdowns. Njoku has not come all that close to matching those numbers in the following three seasons. There is also the fact that Njoku requested to be traded twice during his time with the Browns. Even going as far as hiring Drew Rosenhaus aka the “Get me out of Cleveland expert”. When Rosenhaus was not able to succeed Njoku returned to his former agent and his trade request was subsequently dropped.
Browns seem to be infatuated with Njoku despite continued lack of production
Prior to the 2020 season Cleveland picked up the fifth-year option on Njoku. This resulted in being paid just over $6 million for just 36 receptions, 475 yards, and four touchdowns. The Browns used the franchise tag on Njoku when they were unable to come to an agreement on a new contract following the season. Not necessarily thrilled with this development, Njoku skipped voluntary OTA’s as he wanted a new deal first. This was an interesting power play from a player who really has not accomplished all that much on the field that miraculously worked.
The Browns are taking a massive risk with this contract. As mentioned previously, every contract can classified as a risk. This contract from Cleveland just seems to be amplifying that risk to a very high level with a player who has not shown enough consistency or development to warrant it. It is possible that Njoku (finally) takes the next step in the development process, but it is also highly likely that he is who he is and that may not change.
