The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Report: Njoku seeks trade before camp
Tight end David Njoku, who had his fifth-year option picked up, and agent Drew Rosenhaus have requested a trade from the Browns before training camp commences later this summer.
David Njoku is set to enter his fourth season in the NFL after the Browns selected him 29th in the 2017 draft.
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Njoku informed the organization he wants to begin the 2020 season in a new uniform.
Schefter tweeted Njoku and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, asked for a trade July 3.
According to Schefter, the Browns told Njoku they would like to keep him on the roster but Rosenhaus said Njoku is “intent” on a trade — which he would like to happen before training camp.
“It is in David’s best interest to find a new team at this time,” Rosenhaus told Schefter.
Training camp is scheduled to begin July 28.
The Browns added to their tight end group this offseason to accommodate new coach Kevin Stefanski’s offense. Per data compiled by sharpfootballstats.com, 45% of the Vikings’ offensive snaps in 2019 featured two tight ends on the field.
Former Falcons tight end Austin Hooper signed a four-year, $44 million deal with the Browns in March. Hooper ranks among the league’s most productive tight ends in recent years, recording 214 receptions for 2,244 yards and 16 touchdowns in his four-year career.
Last year, Hooper recorded 75 catches for 787 yards and six touchdowns. He dropped only one pass over 97 targets in 2019 and owns a 77.3% catch rate during over 227 career targets.
In April’s draft, General Manager Andrew Berry selected Florida Atlantic’s Harrison Bryant in the fourth round. Bryant racked up 1,004 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on 65 catches for the Owls as a senior.
Prior to the draft, the Browns seemingly signaled their intent to keep Njoku involved in the offense when they picked up his fifth-year option for the 2021 season worth $6.4 million.
Njoku’s career numbers include 93 catches for 1,066 yards and nine touchdowns. The 23-year-old has caught 58.9% of 158 career targets.
The Miami product took a step forward in 2018, posting 56 catches for 639 yards and four touchdowns, before a broken wrist and concussion held him out of all but four games in 2019.
Hooper’s addition likely pushes Njoku to No. 2 on the team’s depth chart at tight end. Plagued by inconsistency and, recently, injury during his Browns career, Njoku seeks a fresh start ahead of the 2020 season.