Browns tight end David Njoku and his agent Drew Rosenhaus asked for a trade on Friday, and they want it done before the start of training camp. With Austin Hooper now in the fold, Njoku is undoubtedly the odd man out. Although he may be an intriguing trade target, he would not make sense for what New England is trying to do.
This isn’t so much about his production. He is capable of putting together successful seasons when healthy. He dealt with a wrist injury that only allowed him to play in four games last year.
The 2018 season was his best to date. He recorded 56 receptions for 639 yards and four touchdowns. That year, he showed his playmaking ability and put himself on pace to be Cleveland’s tight end of the future.
As far as New England is concerned, they should rely on Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene for production next year. Yes, they are rookies who will need to learn the ropes of the National Football League. However, this is a rebuilding year of sorts.
At first glance, the addition of Cam Newton may suggest otherwise. Despite having a veteran quarterback, the Patriots have rookies they need to develop for the future. With the minimal production they had at tight end last season, this would be the perfect opportunity to begin to develop the rookies. Thus would allow them to get comfortable enough in the offense to consistently produce down the road.
Rob Gronkowski would be a good example of long-term playing time paying off. From 2010-2018, the Patriots developed one of the best tight ends in league history. He ended up recording 7,861 yards and 79 touchdowns in his New England career. He was their go-to target for many seasons, and reinvented the tight end position.
Am I saying that the rookies will develop into a Gronkowski-type of player? No, placing those expectations on them would be difficult to ask. However, he does illustrate that New England was able to develop a tight end to fit the offense.
While we are here, a nod to Ben Watson is appropriate as well. He managed to carve out a long-term career for himself, playing seven years of his 15-year career with New England. Watson thrived in the New England offense and recorded 2,275 yards and 20 touchdowns in 81 games with the Patriots.
While Njoku would be a good fit all things considered, it would hamper the development of the rookies and in turn set them back for the future. Not giving Keene and Asiasi the chance to start in 2020 could hamper their growth.
[lawrence-related id=90954]