The Cleveland Browns have made a few big investments this offseason, especially on the offensive side of the ball. While Denzel Ward (extension) and Jadeveon Clowney (one-year deal to return) have signed deals on the defensive side of the ball, the offense is where the money has been spent.
Amari Cooper was acquired in a trade with three years, $60 million remaining on his contract. Deshaun Watson was also acquired in a trade and then given a huge new five-year deal. Then, last week, the Browns signed David Njoku to a big four-year agreement.
This comes after extensions for Nick Chubb, Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller during the 2021 season.
Njoku’s contract has left some scratching their heads. Cleveland seems to be paying for what the former first-round pick could do instead of what he has proven so far on the field. In five seasons, Njoku has 148 receptions for 1754 yards and 15 touchdowns.
In less than 3.5 seasons as the starter for the Houston Texans, Watson threw 21 touchdown passes to his tight ends as noted by Charles Goldman from Chiefs Wire:
Deshaun Watson has thrown 104 career touchdown passes during the regular season. 21 of them have been thrown to tights ends. Perhaps an uptick in production for Njoku is on the way? https://t.co/clmmg35ZDs
— Charles Goldman (@goldmctNFL) May 27, 2022
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The Texans weren’t loaded at the position either. In 2018, Watson’s first as the team’s full-time starter, Jordan Thomas led Houston’s tight ends with four touchdowns. In 2019, former Browns tight end Darren Fells tied with DeAndre Hopkins for the team lead with seven scores. Finally, in 2020, Watson’s last with the Texans, Fells had four and, another former Cleveland player, Pharoah Brown had two.
Throwing mostly to cast offs and blocking tight ends, Watson still threw a fifth of his touchdowns to the position.
The Browns are betting that Watson will make Njoku better but, with Njoku being the best tight end Watson has had, perhaps it will go both ways.