David

Njoku

Rhim specifically cites former Dolphins TE Jonnu Smith, who posted an 88/886/8 receiving line, while totaling 505 yards after the catch under McDaniel in 2024. McDaniel and TEs coach Chandler Henley plan to create a “run-pass conflict” for opposing defenses, which starts at the tight end position. The offense will expectedly use two-tight end sets often. Rhim notes that Njoku, 29, has “been one of the league’s best tight ends at yards after catch for the past decade,” although he “is coming off one of his worst seasons as a pro” and has been bothered by lower-body injuries recently. Whether Njoku has enough left in the tank to handle TE1 duties remains to be seen. It is worth noting that Rhim never once mentioned TE Charlie Kolar in the article, suggesting he is stuck in the TE3 spot behind Njoku and second-year TE Oronde Gadsden.

A week after visiting with the Chargers, Njoku is now set to join them on a deal that is worth up to $8 million, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The 29-year-old tight end had one of the worst seasons of his career in 2025, as injuries and the emergence of rookie Harold Fannin resulted in Njoku catching just 33 passes for 293 yards and four touchdowns in 12 games. Injuries have slowed Njoku each of the last two seasons. He’s appeared in just 23 of a possible 34 regular-season games over that span and has averaged 8.9 YPR or fewer in both seasons. However, if he can stay healthy, he should provide another reliable weapon for Justin Herbert in the passing game. His arrival could have a negative impact on Oronde Gadsden, but given both tight ends’ ability to line up both in-line and in the slot, it also wouldn’t be surprising if the Chargers ran more two-tight-end sets

Njoku met with the Ravens two weeks ago but has drawn seemingly little interest on the free agent market, with teams content to wait until after the draft to kick the tires on the soon-to-be 30-year-old tight end. The Chargers appear to be set at the position, with breakout youngster Oronde Gadsden joined by offseason acquisition Charlie Kolar, the latter of whom has made a career of his blocking chops. New offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel hardly utilized 13-personnel during his time in Miami, instead ranking near the top of the league in 11-personnel alignments. One would think that would be unlikely to change drastically considering the state of the roster in Los Angeles, making the visit a difficult one to get a true read on for fantasy purposes.

Njoku was released by the Browns as the new league year began, designated as a post-June 1st cut. The 29-year-old spent the first nine seasons of his career in Cleveland, making a Pro Bowl in 2023 when he caught 81-of-123 targets for 882 yards and six touchdowns. Njoku played in 12 games last season as Harold Fannin Jr. slowly took over, catching 33-of-48 targets for 293 yards and four touchdowns. The Ravens are in the market for a receiving tight end after Isaiah Likely departed for the Giants. Njoku would fit into a limited role between Mark Andrews and newly-signed blocking tight end Durham Smythe if he lands in Baltimore.

Njoku was designated as a post-June 1st release, spreading out his dead cap hit over two years. The news doesn’t come as a surprise. Njoku posted a heartfelt goodbye just after the season ended, so it was only a matter of paperwork for the Browns. The age-29 tight end is now looking for a new home for the first time in his NFL career. Njoku caught three passes for 293 yards and four scores in 2025. He was passed on the depth chart by Harold Fannin Jr. and missed time late in the year with a knee issue. Plenty of teams will be interested in signing him, though likely as a rotational player at this point in his career. Njoku is unlikely to put up TE1 numbers in 2026, no matter where he lands.

The veteran tight end took to instagram to announce that he would not be returning to Cleveland this offseason as he departs for free agency. It will mark the first year of his career not a member of the team that drafted him in 2017, ending a nine-year run with the franchise. The soon-to-be 30-year-old lost playing time in 2025 to electric rookie Harold Fannin Jr and apparently saw the writing on the wall regarding the direction of the franchise moving forward. The announcement directly contradicts previous reports that Njoku was looking to return to the Browns.

Njoku, 29, will become a free agent once the 2025 season officially ends. In order for him to do so, he will likely have to sign a team-friendly deal, placing him firmly in the No. 2 spot behind breakout rookie TE Harold Fannin, who supplanted Njoku outright this season. Njoku was the subject of trade rumors earlier this year, but nothing came to fruition. Njoku exuberantly celebrated the outcome despite his diminishing role. Were he to remain in Cleveland, he would not be on the fantasy TE1 radar in 2026.

Njoku was targeted just seven times after Week 8 as Harold Fannin took over as Cleveland’s main tight end. Entering free agency this offseason, Njoku has shown enough flashes at times over the past three years to be considered on the TE1 line if he lands in a good spot. He does, unfortunately, get banged up enough that he probably shouldn’t be the only tight end you draft if you go that route in 2026.

As expected, David Njoku also remained out of practice. Njoku is likely out for Week 18, while head coach Kevin Stefanski is leaving the light on for Fannin. With the Browns only playing for a better draft pick, there isn’t much reason to push either player to suit up on Sunday. Backup tight ends Blake Whiteheart and Sal Cannella would be in line for more work if both starting options are ruled out.

Njoku will miss his third-straight game due to a knee injury that he suffered in Week 14. The Browns are at risk of being down their top two TEs with Harold Fannin (groin) being added to Friday’s injury report. We’ll see if Njoku can get back on the field in time for Week 18’s season finale against the Bengals.