It’s time for the New England Patriots to solidify the tight end position.
Bill Belichick has done very little since Rob Gronkowski’s retirement to shore up a position that has been so important to the team in recent years. Gronkowski and a slew of top-tier tight ends have coexisted on New England’s depth chart and created matchup nightmares for opposing defenses.
The Patriots had Benjamin Watson, Matt LaCosse and Ryan Izzo as Tom Brady’s tight end corps last season — that didn’t workout. Collectively, they had less than 500 receiving yards and a grand total of two touchdowns.
Belichick passed up on expensive free agent options this offseason, selecting Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene in the draft. Asiasi will likely take the starting role and Keene will be used more as a hybrid — spending time as a fullback and tight end. LaCosse, Izzo and two undrafted rookies are the next-best options.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter announced on Friday that Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku has requested a trade and he wants out before training camp. Joining up with Belichick and newly-signed Cam Newton would be the perfect scenario for the young and blossoming tight end.
1/2 Browns’ TE David Njoku and his agent Drew Rosenhaus asked today for the team to trade him. The Browns told Njoku they would like to keep him, but Rosenhaus told them he’s intent on a trade. They want a trade before training camp.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 3, 2020
2/2 About David Njoku’s trade request today to the Browns, agent Drew Rosenhaus said: "It is in David's best interest to find a new team at this time."
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 3, 2020
Njoku spent his first three seasons in Cleveland and as a result, his production has been limited. The Browns have struggled mightily over the past couple decades and Njoku wasn’t in a place where he could reach his full potential. Jamie Collins is a perfect example of this.
He dealt with a wrist injury last season and only played four games, with very little production. His best season came in 2018, where he recorded 56 receptions for 639 yards and four touchdowns. Njoku, 23, is a 6-foot-4, 250 pound speedster who runs a 4.6 40-yard dash. He would be the surefire starter and would provide and large and athletic body for the redzone.
Njoku would also compliment Newton perfectly as well, who sits with a 6-foot-5 frame. Newton thrives with larger targets and he already has a few on the roster with Asiasi, N’Keal Harry and Mohamed Sanu. Njoku’s presence would give the Patriots a strong blocker who’s ascending as a pass-catcher.
Logistically, Belichick would have to move some things around to make it happen. But, Njoku’s $3 million cap hit is extremely helpful in making it happen. The Patriots have less than $1 million in cap space, but they could create the necessary room by converting salaries to signing bonuses and making minor adjustments.
The primary issue would come with the Browns and what they would want in return for Njoku. New England lost a third-round pick for the 2021 season and Njoku is a former first-round pick. Belichick would have to get crafty in what he’s willing to give up.
This move would require some effort, but the Patriots desperately need veteran experience to compete in training camp. Njoku to the Patriots would help this new-look team prepare for a deep playoff run.
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