David

Njoku

Njoku’s 13 targets were seven more than the Browns’ next-closest receiver (Jerry Jeudy, 6), which was good for his third-highest total in any game this season. The star tight end found the end zone on a 15-yard garbage-time touchdown late in the fourth quarter and has now scored in back-to-back games. Njoku has seen an absurd 30 targets over his last two games, and will remain a high-end TE1 in Week 15 against the Chiefs.

Njoku led the team in targets on a night quarterback Jameis Winston attempted a ridiculous 58 passes due to an ineffective run game and back-and-forth game environment. The Browns took the lead half way through the fourth quarter but watched as Bo Nix led the Broncos down the field to recapture the lead with just over two minutes remaining. Winston threw a pick-six on the subsequent possession before another pick iced the game as time was running out. Even so, Njoku’s receiving line propelled fantasy managers in what was a down week for tight end scoring. Up next for Njoku and the Browns are the Steelers in Week 14.

It was a rough night for a tight end who entered the proceedings with five straight five-catch performances, as one of his missed connections was a horrendous end zone drop. He did contribute an invisible box score grab on a two-point conversion a few moments later, but it’s an awful start to your week if Njoku is your seam stretcher. He now has 11 days to rest up for a Week 13 Monday night date with the Broncos’ tough pass defense.

Njoku had his reps limited in practice this week but doesn’t have an injury designation heading into Thursday’s game versus the Steelers. Njoku has seen plenty of looks in recent weeks, piling up 19 receptions in Jameis Winston’s three starts. He remains in the TE1 ranks for Week 12.

We’ve heard almost nothing from beat reporters or Browns media about Njoku missing this game, so we’ll stick with believing he’s just being managed for the moment. Njoku caught 9-of-10 targets for 81 yards last week against the Saints and played a season-high 86 percent of the snaps.

It likely doesn’t amount to much of a chance he misses anything, but it’s worth monitoring on Tuesday. Njoku has 19 receptions in three games with Jameis Winston under center and will be a reasonable TE1 play even against a tough Steelers defense on Thursday.

Njoku again functioned as Jameis Winston’s underneath option. He led the Browns in targets and came down with a two point conversion in the second half. Njoku now has 19 receptions in three games with Winston under center for Cleveland. Njoku’s role in the pass-heavy Cleveland offense should make him an every-week elite option. He gets the Steelers in Week 12.

There are several offenses Njoku would improve if a trade were to occur, but the Browns appear unwilling to trade the 28-year-old tight end who broke out for 81-882-6 last season. He’s on pace to finish well below those totals this season, but with one year still left on his current deal, there’s a chance a quarterback upgrade next offseason could get the Browns back on track to contend in 2025.

It was a down week for Njoku, who had 15 receptions and two touchdowns over his past two games with Jameis Winston under center for the Browns. Njoku trailed both Jerry Jeudy (11) and Cedric Tillman (10) in targets against the Chargers. Still, he caught a full complement of pass routes and remains a go-to option for Winston in the Browns’ pass-first offense. Njoku should remain in lineups next week against the Titans.

Njoku was held out of the first two practices of the week with the ankle issue. He missed three games with the same injury earlier this year, so the team is managing his reps in practice. Njoku is good to go for Week 9. With 15 receptions for 137 yards and two scores sans Amari Cooper, Njoku is climbing the TE1 rankings this week.