David Njoku could seem appealing to the Arizona Cardinals
By Jim Koch
The Cleveland Browns tight end would provide the Arizona Cardinals offense with yet another talented pass-receiving threat
In just a matter of months, the Arizona Cardinals offense appears to have improved dramatically. The addition of superstar wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has many NFL experts expecting big things out of the club’s scoring attack. Adding any more talent to the mix at this point could make the Cards offensive unit even more formidable.
With that thought in mind, there’s a tight end currently employed by the Cleveland Browns who apparently wants out of the “Dawg Pound”. David Njoku, a youngster who’s entering his fourth professional campaign, has requested a trade. Is there a possibility that Arizona will elect to pursue the 23-year old pass-catcher?
Njoku, who played his college ball at the University of Miami, was the 29th-overall selection of the 2017 draft. In 36 pro appearances (20 starts), the New Jersey native has hauled in 93 passes for 1,066 yards and nine touchdowns. Njoku’s best campaign was in 2018, when he totaled 56 receptions, 639 receiving yards and four scores.
Last season was a completely forgettable one for Njoku. The 6’4, 247 pounder was placed on Cleveland’s injured-reserve list after suffering a broken wrist in week two. Njoku did manage to return for a couple of games in December, but ended the year with just five catches for 41 yards and one touchdown.
The Cardinals, at the present time, have six tight ends on their roster. Included in that group are Maxx Williams, Dan Arnold, Darrell Daniels, Dylan Cantrell, Parker Houston and Ryan Becker. Williams, the number-one option on the Cards depth chart, registered just 15 receptions for 202 yards and one score last fall.
According to Spotrac.com, Arizona has roughly $7 million remaining under the salary-cap. Njoku is slated to collect a fairly-manageable base salary of just over $1.7 million in 2020. The Browns picked up the fifth-year option on Njoku’s rookie contract, reportedly worth $6 million in 2021, this past April.
Year after year, the Cardinals struggle to get sufficient production out of the tight end position. A scenario that depicts the gifted Njoku coming to the desert to play for the team is an intriguing one. Whether the Cards have any interest in making that happen remains to be seen.