3 potential trade targets for the Panthers before the 2020 NFL draft

If Hurney isn’t through making deals, here are three players who might be on the trade block he should consider calling about.

The 2020 NFL draft is now just three weeks and a day away. Whether there’s an ongoing global pandemic or a zombie apocalypse, it’s clear this thing is going forward as scheduled.

That means we are now in the home stretch as teams prepare for a draft under unusual circumstances. With no pro days or visits allowed due to COVID-19, front offices around the league are on the spot to find ways to evaluate this year’s prospects in untraditional ways.

No matter who the Carolina Panthers have their eye on going into the draft, there’s no way they will be able to fill all of their roster holes with a handful of rookies. The team has lost seven starters on defense alone this offseason, potentially making this the worst unit in football right now.

There’s still time to improve the roster before they’re on the clock at No. 7, though and general manager Marty Hurney has not been shy about wheeling and dealing lately. He’s already traded Trai Turner to the Chargers for Russell Okung and Kyle Allen to the Redskins for a fifth-round pick.

If Hurney isn’t through making deals, here are three players who might be on the trade block he should consider calling about.

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David Njoku believes Austin Hooper will help him in Cleveland

given the team’s relative issues at offensive tackle, playing two TE sets does make quite a bit of sense

News of the Cleveland Browns agreeing to sign free agent Austin Hooper to the largest contract ever given to a tight end in NFL history created some big waves in the early part of the free agent negotiating period. One of those waves crashed at the shore of David Njoku.

Cleveland’s incumbent starting tight end, Njoku and his status with the Browns were seemingly tossed into the rocky shoreline. But that reaction might be too rash, and it’s something Njoku himself quickly recognized.

Rather than being crushed by the wave of speculation about his future in Cleveland, Njoku chose to ride it positively:

Nahhhh man cmon I love competition. We’ll push each other and get better together🦾 https://t.co/nmAoz5cgl5

— Chief David Njoku (@David_Njoku80) March 16, 2020

New Browns coach Kevin Stefanski comes from an offense in Minnesota that frequently deployed two tight ends in the formation. And Hooper’s more inline ability could mesh quite nicely with Njoku playing as the flex/move, receiving-oriented tight end. And given the team’s relative issues at offensive tackle, playing two TE sets does make quite a bit of sense.

Stefanski: Browns have ‘big plans’ for TE David Njoku in 2020

Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski: Browns have ‘big plans’ for TE David Njoku in 2020

The 2019 season was not one Browns tight end David Njoku will celebrate fondly. Injuries robbed him of all but four games, and Njoku never really fit in Freddie Kitchens’ offense.

Njoku will get a chance at redemption in his fourth season as the Browns tight end. Based on what new Cleveland GM Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski had to say about Njoku during their press conferences here in Indianapolis at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, he’ll get every chance to prove he can be a major part of the Browns offensive attack.

“David didn’t quite have the year that he anticipated this past fall,” Berry said. “But we still view David as a talented pass catcher and a guy that we expect to take a step forward in this upcoming year.”

Berry noted he was part of the management regime that drafted Njoku in the first round back in 2017 and he still sees a lot of the alluring athleticism and potential in the 23-year-old.

Stefanski echoed Berry’s thoughts on Njoku.

“I’m looking forward to working with him,” Stefanski stated. “I think there’s an obvious skill set there. There’s a reason he was drafted that high. I think you can see it just in his physical ability, and it’s a big year for David. I’ve explained that to him.”

Without getting into specifics, Stefanski laid out how important the young TE can be in 2020.

“We have big plans for (Njoku),” Stefanski said. “But it’s about, for him, coming back in the building and working and then ultimately being able to see if we can utilize him in a role that can take advantage of some of his skill set.”

Njoku caught just five passes on 10 targets, netting 41 yards and one TD. He suffered a broken wrist and a concussion in the Week 2 win over the New York Jets and never really reassimilated into the lineup.

Should Redskins look to trade for Browns TE David Njoku?

The Redskins are in desperate need of a new TE, and the Browns seem to be doing away with a former first-round pick at the position.

The Washington Redskins are in desperate need of a young tight end who can stay on the field and produce when called upon.

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku is in desperate need of a fresh start, and a change of scenery might be exactly what will get his career off the ground and allow him to reach his lofty first-round potential.

It seems like this could be a potential match made in heaven.

According to ESPN’s Jake Trotter, Njoku is one of the most talented tight ends in the NFL who is yet to fully breakthrough, and a departure from Cleveland and the circus that Baker Mayfield and the Browns present may do the trick.

He fell out of favor under the previous regime, as he was a regular healthy scratch down the stretch after returning from IR after a wrist injury. Had coach Freddie Kitchens and general manager John Dorsey been retained, Njoku almost certainly would have been out the door. Still, while Njoku would have a fresh start under a new coach and front office, it’s clear he was also losing the trust of QB Baker Mayfield. That’s why the 2017 first-round selection might be better off attempting to resuscitate his career elsewhere — especially if the Browns can get something that can help them in return.

Of course, Njoku still has a year left on his rookie contract, with a fifth-year option available to be picked up. But with Demetrius Harris and Ricky Seals-Jones ahead of him on the depth chart, it wouldn’t be crazy to hear of the Browns shopping Njoku, and the Redskins should kick the tires on him, and see what Cleveland would take in return.

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How were 8 tight ends drafted before George Kittle in 2017?

George Kittle was drafted in the fifth round out of Iowa by the 49ers in 2017. He was the ninth tight end selected.

George Kittle has proven to be one of the great draft steals in many years. The San Francisco 49ers selected the tight end from Iowa in the fifth round, 146th overall, in 2017. Eight TEs were chosen before Kittle. How did that work out?

O.J. Howard (first, 19 overall)

O.J. Howard came out of Alabama to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a big rep and high hopes for the NFC South team. It has not materialized. Howard does have 12 TD catches — the same number as Kittle — but he has far less receptions, 94 for 1,456 yards.

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Browns inactives: TE David Njoku will not dress vs. Cardinals

The starting tight end will not dress because of a coaching decision.

The Arizona Cardinals will catch one break in Week 15 against the Cleveland Browns. The Browns released their list of seven inactive players and it includes tight end David Njoku. Njoku was recently reinstated from injured reserve.

The decision for him not to dress is reportedly a coaching decision.

Here is the full list:

WR Taywan Taylor
S Eric Murray
DE Olivier Vernon
G Drew Forbes
TE David Njoku
TE Pharaoh Brown
DT Justin Zimmer

Chris Hubbard will not start at right tackle for Cleveland. He missed some practice time this week with a knee injury but is active. Kendall Lamm will start in his place.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Sub scribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

Ep. 251:

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Ep. 250:

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Browns injury report: Odell Beckham, Jarvis Landry limited for 2nd day in a row

Check out the second injury report of the week as they prepare for the Cardinals.

The Cleveland Browns released their second injury report of the week. Not a lot changed for them, although one key offensive player was upgraded. One player sat out and five were limited for Cleveland.

Did not practice

C J.C. Tretter (knee)

This could be a problem for Cleveland. He missed practice for the second day in a row.

Limited

WR Odell Beckham Jr. (groin)
T Chris Hubbard (knee)
WR Jarvis Landry (hip)
DB Eric Murray (knee)
DE Olivier Vernon (knee)

All these players were limited for the second day in a row.

Tight end David Njoku (knee) was upgraded to full participation on Thursday after being limited Wednesday. He will pose a matchup problem for the Cardinals.

Receiver KhaDarel Hodges also was upgraded to full participation after being limited Wednesday with an illness.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Sub scribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

Ep. 251:

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Ep. 250:

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9 fantasy sleepers for Week 13

Sam Darnold, Benny Snell Jr. and LeSean McCoy highlight the Week 13 list of fantasy sleepers.

In most fantasy football leagues, Week 13 is the final week of the regular season. You might be desperate for a win and need one sleeper to put you over the top.

Or you might already be well set for the playoffs. Even if you are, you should be looking to add as much depth as possible for the postseason.

Either way, Touchdown Wire presents nine fantasy football sleepers for Week 13.

9. Russell Gage, WR, Atlanta Falcons

Gage could be a good player to start in the Thanksgiving night game with the Saints. He gradually has taken on a bigger role in the offense because so much defensive attention goes to Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley. Gage had eight catches for 76 yards in Sunday’s loss to Tampa Bay. He should play a bigger role going forward.

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7 waiver wire pickups in fantasy football for Week 13

Waiver wire pickups for Week 13.

Week 12 in the NFL brought a lot of teams that were flying high down to reality. With many talented players on a bye week, it provided lineup issues and possibly even last second waiver wire adds.

Some leagues have playoffs starting this week while others will begin over the next few weeks. Even so, the waiver wire will be important with handcuffs and injuries at the most important positions.

With trade deadlines having passed, here are the top waiver-wire pickups for Week 13:

RB Rashaad Penny — 29.1% rostered (ESPN)

Penny finally had his breakout career game on Sunday against Philadelphia as he finished with 14 carries for 129 yards and a touchdown. The Seahawks have shown to give a lot of attention to the run in recent weeks but with Chris Carson still having issues holding on to the ball, Penny will be a more focused piece of this offense.

We aren’t at the point where the former first-round pick will be taking over the backfield, but head coach Pete Carroll hinted that more of a timeshare could be on the way in Seattle.

With a Monday night matchup against Minnesota on the horizon, look for Seattle to use Penny and other offensive pieces as they try to keep pace with San Francisco in the division race.

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David Njoku still not ready, will miss Week 12 vs. Dolphins

Browns TE David Njoku is still not ready to play despite being designated for return from I.R. and will miss Week 12 vs. Dolphins

There was some hope David Njoku could return to the Browns’ active roster in Week 12. The team designated Njoku for return from injured reserve this week, and the tight end was active in practices toward the end of the week.

However, Njoku will not be activated for the Week 12 visit from the Miami Dolphins. The Browns decided Njoku just wasn’t game-ready yet. He has been out since breaking his wrist and suffering a concussion in the Week 2 win over the New York Jets.

“I think we want to see David another week and see what we get at the end of next week,” head coach Freddie Kitchens said on Friday.

The team has two more weeks to decide to fully activate Njoku or keep him on injured reserve.

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