Browns TE David Njoku flashed his stretch-run upside Sunday, hauling in 6-of-11 targets for 69 yards in the Browns win over the Ravens. All three of the catches, yards, and targets are season highs, and foreshadow the massive upside Njoku now brings with Baker Mayfield under center. Njoku once again suffered two drops, but is settling in nicely as the clear No.2 option behind Jarvis Landry. With a cakewalk ROS schedule (detailed below), Njoku should be considered a Top-7 option from here on out.
Njoku’s finding new life with the improved accuracy of Mayfield, as the freakish athlete has now caught 11-of-18 targets for 111 yards in his past two weeks. This is unsurprising, as Mayfield relentlessly targeted tight ends over the middle in Oklahoma. Njoku’s steady statistical ascension could truly explode in the near future, as he features by far the easiest ROS schedule among tight ends.
In fact, in 10 weeks, Njoku will face a Bottom-8 team versus the position. The only two ranked higher — the Chargers and Falcons — both project as shootout style contests as well. With Rashard Higgins out for at least two games with an MCL sprain and Antonio Callaway on the decline, Njoku should continue seeing steady volume. A 2-TD explosion is on the horizon.
