Subscribe
Follow Us
David Njoku has requested a trade from the Cleveland Browns and it remains to be seen what he'd command in a trade. In light of that, sources have told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler that Njoku is expected to garner a fourth or fifth-round pick if he is traded.
The Browns have known for about a year that David Njoku was unhappy in Cleveland and would welcome a trade, I’m told. They were not blindsided by this. Early predictions from sources with other teams is Njoku might be worth a 4th or 5th round pick.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) July 4, 2020
Last season, Njoku would miss 10 games due to a wrist injury that he suffered in Week 2 versus the New York Jets. Then, upon his return from injured reserve, head coach Freddie Kitchens made Njoku a healthy scratch in Weeks 15 and 16.
Even with a new regime in place under Kevin Stefanski, the Browns elected to sign Austin Hooper in free agency. Therefore, Cleveland isn't taken aback by Njoku requesting a trade. However, seeing that he was the No. 29 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Browns would prefer to keep him rather than trade him for a day three draft pick.
While Cleveland signed Hooper to a four-year, $42 million deal, they also picked up Njoku's fifth-year option for the 2021 season. Given Stefanski's offense that features a ton of 12-personnel, the Browns want to deploy Njoku as the team's No. 2 tight end.
Just two years ago, Njoku hauled in a career-best 56 receptions for 639 yards and four touchdowns for the Browns. Despite his inconsistencies thus far in his career, the former first-round pick is set to turn 24 years old in July.
With that in mind, there are likely going to be a handful of teams calling the Browns to inquire about Njoku's availability. If Njoku does happen to force his way out of Cleveland, then it probably won't be for the value that the Browns were hoping for.
