November 7, 2024

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David Njoku has a Positive Mindset and Says He Switched Agents in Hopes of Staying with the Browns Long-Term

David Njoku Berea Report
David Njoku (Photo: Courtesy of the Cleveland Browns)

 

BEREA, Ohio — On Wednesday, Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku made some eye-opening plays. In individual drills against the Giants secondary, he beat defensive backs on back-to-back plays, including a leaping catch over former Browns first-round pick and current Giants’ safety Jabrill Peppers.

In the team drills, Njoku caught a pass over the middle for a big gain. In the Orange and Brown practice at FirstEnergy Stadium, Njoku caught two touchdown passes, including one from Case Keenum to finish a touchdown drive to end practice. 

Kevin Stefanski has noticed Njoku’s play-making ability in training camp this year. 

“Yeah, for sure,” he said Thursday. “Dave works really hard on his craft. It shows up in his run blocking, his pass blocking, his route running and his catching. I think he is an example of a guy that has been willing to work on his craft, and I think he is getting better.”

At this time last year, Njoku grudgingly came to training camp after switching agents and requesting to be traded after the Browns had signed tight end Austin Hooper to a big free agent contract and then drafted Harrison Bryant in the fourth-round of the 2020 NFL Draft. 

The Browns insisted that Njoku was in their plans and picked up his fifth-year option this spring for $6.1 million in 2021. Njoku admitted that showed him the Browns did indeed, want him on the team. 

Recently, Njoku dropped Drew Rosenhaus as his agent and went back to his previous agent Malki Kawa, in part to work out a long-term extension with the Browns. 

On Friday, Njoku was asked what changed?

“Mindset,” he said. “My mindset changed and everything else got a lot easier.”

Njoku was asked if he was happy to be with the Browns this year. 


“Of course,” he said. “We’re going to leave last year in the past. what I can say is that I’m in a much more positive mindset, playing for myself, playing for my teammates, playing for the team this year. It’s a lot easier to work hard that way.”

Njoku, who is just 25, said switching agents again was the best move for him.

“I make choices that are best for my future,” he said. “Bringing Malki back was best for me.”

He now says he wants to stay with the Browns beyond this season. 

“Winning cures almost everything.”

By the end of the 2020 season, Njoku was playing more and embraced what he called the ‘dirty work’ of the job, most notably, blocking. 

In the playoff loss to the Chiefs, Njoku was the leading receiver with five receptions for 56 yards, including a long of 27 yards. 

“I had a good game, a decent game against Kansas City, but I’m really looking forward to the next one.”

The Browns open in Kansas City on Sept. 12. 

Njoku (6-4, 246) finished the 2020 season with 19 receptions for 213 yards, including two touchdowns. His best season was in 2018 when he caught 56 passes for 659 yards and four touchdowns in 14 starts. In his four-year career, Njoku has 112 receptions for 1,279 yards, including 11 touchdowns and a 10.7 yards per catch average. He injured his wrist in the second game of the 2018 season and played sparingly the rest of the season. 

Njoku said that he is trying to improve on his game, every day.

“I don’t see myself anywhere near being finished working,” he said. “I just try to work every day.”


Baker Mayfield thinks the Browns can exploit his talents in the offense in more than one way, including the vertical game. 

“He’s a large individual to begin with and that comes with a unique skillset,” Mayfield said Friday. “He’s able to run and the thing we’ve told David is that if he sprints and runs, people are going to be scared for the vertical routes that he can bring to the table. We’re working with him on that and he has the natural ability to high-point the ball, so we’re working on that to expand and grow on that.”

Stefanski agreed.

“Some of those tight ends I have been around over the years, just their sheer size, they are always open,” he said. “You just have to go vertically up to go get the ball where you do not have to create separation horizontally in a lot of cases. Dave and (Austin Hooper) Hoop, our guys, I think they are very friendly targets for the quarterback.”

When asked about his knack for making the tough play in a jump ball situation, Njoku shrugged his shoulder and said that’s one of his skills. 

“I see the ball and try to get the ball,” Njoku said. “That’s one of (my skills).”

Njoku called blocking the ‘dirty work’ but said he has really embraced that role and feels he’s improved to the point where he’s pretty good at it.”

Njoku, who was the 29th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, has been through the tough times with the Browns, including a 1-15 season and an 0-16 season,

“(I’ve seen) the lowest of the lows and now we have the opportunity to do something very special,” Njoku said. “We have to take it day by day, we can’t look ahead to February because it’s only August. Let’s focus on today’s practice and tomorrow, on the next practice.”

Mayfield has noticed a change in Njoku.

“David is playing with the mentality of helping our team,” Mayfield said. “And that’s what we want with everybody.”

Extra Points 

Harvey, Meander Return: With injuries hitting the linebacking corps , the Browns re-signed LB Montrel Meander and signed LB Willie Harvey, who was with the team in 2019 and played in two games. Meander was released in the first cut downs last week. 

LB Jacob Phillips tore his biceps in practice on Thursday and will be out for significant time, while LB Sione Takitaki left practice on Thursday, as well with a hamstring injury. Rookie LB Tony Fields has not practiced yet in camp with a foot injury and LB Mack Wilson injured his shoulder in the first preseason game, but has been practicing in individual drills. 

To make room for Harvey, RB Corey Taylor and WR JoJo Ward were released. Ward was just signed on Thursday.  


Who Will Play?: Mayfield said he is alright either way if he gets any reps in the preseason or not. 

“Any game reps, any reps, I always embrace and feel full effort, but whatever happens, happens,” Mayfield said. 


Giants Part 2: The Browns and Giants conclude their two days of joint practices on Friday afternoon before playing the second preseason game on Sunday at 1 pm. at FirstEnergy Stadium. 

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