The Browns placed the franchise tag on David Njoku’s TE.
Njoku, a 2017 first-round pick, had one of the best seasons of his five-year career in 2021, when he recorded 36 receptions and 475 receiving yards to lead the Browns with four receiving touchdowns. He also recorded the longest reception by an NFL tight end in 2021 after a 71-yard touchdown against the Chargers on October 10. He had 1,754 yards and 15 touchdowns in his career and was a key cog in the Browns’ game. also using his massive 6ft 4in and 246lb frame to clear lanes.
At the end of last season, Njoku expressed his desire to return to the Browns and stay with Cleveland after the team’s success over the past two seasons. The Browns have won 19 games in the last two years, the most in two seasons since 1988-89, and Njoku, who was with the Browns when they had a winless season in 2017, thinks Cleveland can be even better. .
“A lot of blood, sweat and tears have been invested over the past few years,” Njoku said Jan. 10. All this I owe to God. We just need to keep working… I like it here. I like it here. here to the core.”
At the end of last season, coaches praised Njoka for continuing to improve his game in all areas. For example, 2021 has been Njoku’s best season since 2018, and his receptions and touchdowns have increased yearly since 2019.
The Browns believe he has the potential to grow even more as he is only 25 years old but already has five years of NFL experience.
“He’s come a long way both on and off the field,” Browns executive vice president and general manager Andrew Berry said Tuesday at the NFL Combine. “This is a merit of him and how hard he worked. David as a player is 25 years old and I think he is close to maturity. I think that as its capabilities increase, so will its influence.”
Now the Browns will see how far Njoku can go in his game in 2022. Njoku is also the first non-football player to receive a franchise tag in Browns history.