Fantasy Upside
David Njoku is a big-bodied tight end with athleticism and solid speed. He turned that into a good season in 2018, finishing as the No. 8 tight end in standard and No. 9 tight end in PPR. He had over 50 yards in eight games last season, scoring in four of those games. With a full year of Baker Mayfield as his quarterback, there are reasons to be excited about Njoku in 2019.
Fantasy Downside
Njoku’s numbers stayed mostly the same last season when Freddie Kitchens took over, except for the targets. He went from averaging 7.4 targets before Kitchens to 4.6 targets with him. And with Odell Beckham Jr. in the mix, it seems safe to assume his overall targets will dip in 2019.
2019 Bottom Line
Njoku learned to do more with less in 2018, so he’ll have to carry those lessons into 2019. He’s still a talented player in what should be a great offense. He’s also one of the few tight ends that is able to consistently produce on a weekly basis. Don’t expect a monster 1,000-yard year from him. Instead, you can likely expect more of the same, which should result in a top 10 position finish.
Week 17 at Baltimore Ravens
David Njoku was useful last week, finishing with 73 yards and a touchdown. Although most of that was highlighted by a 66-yard catch. Njoku has had an up-and-down season, but he's been good enough to be a TE1 option in this wasteland of a position. He gets that tag again this week in a decent matchup against Baltimore, a team he finished 6-69 against earlier in the year.
Week 16 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
David Njoku went 3 for 30 as his slump continues. Njoku is dealing with knee and thigh injuries which is perhaps limiting his play a bit. There is, however, a chance for a bounce-back game from Njoku this week in a favorable matchup against the Bengals.
Njoku caught five passes for 63 yards and a score the last time he faced Cincy, so if he can find that success again he'll be an easy TE1. We have him projected slightly below those numbers, but he can still be viewed as a lower-end TE1.
Week 15 at Denver Broncos
David Njoku finished with 35 yards on three receptions last week. Njoku was once an easy start in fantasy earlier in the year, but lately he hasn't been putting up the numbers you'd like to see.
He does get a great matchup this week, however. He faces a Broncos defense that has allowed the most receiving yards (977) to tight ends this season. Denver just got abused by George Kittle a week ago, so perhaps Njoku can follow suit? We like him as a lower-end TE1 choice.
Week 14 vs. Carolina Panthers
David Njoku finished with eight yards on three catches, which is somewhat impressive, although not great for fantasy. Njoku has at least 50 yards in six of his last nine games, but in those three games, he has a combined 26 yards. There's not much middle ground for performance when it comes to Njoku this season.
On the plus side, he has a favorable matchup against the Panthers this week. Carolina is giving up the third-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends, including allowing a league-high nine touchdowns to the position. There aren't too many better options this week at TE as Njoku can be viewed as a mid-tier TE1 choice.
David Njoku at Houston Texans
David Njoku led the Browns in receiving last week, finishing with 63 yards and a score on five receptions. Njoku had a 0-catch game and a 1-catch game in his last four outings, but overall he's been a reliable option at the tight end position in 2018.
He gets an oddly favorable matchup this week against the Texans. Houston has been tough on QBs this season, but has allowed 127 yards, 71 yards and 142 yards to tight ends in the last three games, respectively. The Texans have also given up a score to the position in each of those three games as well. Njoku can be viewed as a lower-end TE1 choice.
Week 12 at Cincinnati Bengals
David Njoku caught just one pass for 18 yards in the Browns' last outing. He's now had one catch and no catches in two of his last three games, and he's listed as questionable for Sunday vs. the Bengals.
There was a stretch during the season where Njoku was a strong TE1 option every week, but now he's at the lower end of TE1 territory.
Week 10 vs. Atlanta Falcons
David Njoku had a weird goose egg game in Week 8, but bounced back with a nice 4-53 last week. He's had at least 50 yards in five of his last six games, scoring twice in that span. He hasn't been spectacular, but he's been a serviceable TE1 most weeks.
He gets a decent game this week against the Falcons. Atlanta has allowed at least 50 yards in half of its games this season, so there's opportunity for Njoku to produce. He can be viewed as a low-end TE1 in Week 10.
Week 9 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
David Njoku played 84 percent of the offensive snaps last week but finished with a big fat goose egg. He didn't even get a target. It was weird considering Njoku had four straight games of 50+ yards, so we'll just write it off as an unfortunate game.
He should bounce back this week against the Chiefs, who are allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to TEs. Kansas City has given up the second-most yards to the position as well, so there's opportunity for a big game from Njoku. He can be viewed as a TE1.
Week 8 at Pittsburgh Steelers
For the second game in a row, David Njoku scored a touchdown. He also now has at least four receptions and 50 yards in four straight games. Njoku has been much more productive with Baker Mayfield than he was with Tyrod Taylor at the start of the season.
On that same note, Njoku had 13 yards in the Week 1 matchup vs. the Steelers. But with Mayfield in, perhaps Njoku can continue his 50+ streak. Pittsburgh has allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing TEs. And the Steelers have allowed 50+ yards in every game except that Week 1 matchup. Njoku can be viewed as a TE1 play.
