The Cleveland Browns have a few important decisions to make this offseason. While the team has verbally stated their belief in QB Baker Mayfield’s bounce-back season, if a clear upgrade becomes available they may be enticed to take that option.
As we covered in our Mock Offseason 1.0, the team also has difficult decisions to make with several veterans. A few veterans could be let go, including J.C. Tretter, Case Keenum and Jarvis Landry, to help free up around $30 million in salary-cap space.
All of that is up in the air while the team may only have one starting-level defensive lineman. While Myles Garrett is great, he can’t do it all himself.
The team also has a few interesting players set to hit free agency. Jadeveon Clowney, Anthony Walker, Ronnie Harrison and David Njoku are four of the biggest names. Njoku may have the most interesting situation of all four.
Clowney will be wanted around the league and by the Browns. While Walker played well, linebacker isn’t a highly valued position and Cleveland believes in Jacob Phillips and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah as, possibly, their long-term future. Harrison had a down year after a solid one in 2021 and may be looking at a one-year deal to raise his value again.
Njoku, on the other hand, plays a very valuable position, is young, athletic, developed as a good blocker and has had moments of excellence in the passing game. He also has been inconsistent, dealt with some injuries and drops have haunted him on some of the easiest catches.
With the NFL valuing athleticism, youth and the tight end position, the 25-year-old Njoku could haul in a hefty contract. As Pro Football Focus (subscriber, $) notes, he could be the target of a franchise (or transition) tag from Cleveland:
Njoku had a more efficient contract year than Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith in 2020, posting higher yards per route run (1.56) and more yards gained after contact (138) on fewer receptions than Henry or Smith.
Both Henry and Smith cashed in last offseason signing with the New England Patriots. Smith signed a four-year deal for $50 million while Henry’s was for three years and $37.5 million.
Given the projection of the franchise tag costing the Browns about $10 million, the team may be more inclined to give their tight end the transition tag with a chance to match any offer.
For his five-year career in Cleveland, Njoku has 148 receptions for 1,754 yards and 15 touchdowns. His best season was in 2018 when he had 56 catches for 639 yards and four touchdowns. He missed most of 2019 due to injury.
Njoku’s free agency could end up very interesting if the team doesn’t put a tag designation on him. Browns fans might be surprised by how teams may value him.