Week 3 at Indianapolis Colts
Rookie tight end David Njoku had 4 targets, catching 3 passes for 27 yards and a touchdown last week versus the Ravens. He's a talented player, but right now he's splitting time with fellow tight end Seth DeValve, who caught 2 passes for 61 yards (on 4 targets) last week. If the two of them could combine to be just "Browns TE" then it'd be worth a look in fantasy, but right now they are are canceling each other out. Neither is worth a start this week.
Week 1 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Browns used a first round draft pick on David Njoku, and released incumbent starter Gary Barnidge afterwards. That should tell you the team is all-in on the talented rookie. But, as we examined in his preseason profile, rookie tight ends are notorious for not doing much in their first year.
Starting Njoku this week would be a huge gamble, especially since it's not a great matchup for him. There will most likely be a better option at the position on waivers.
Fantasy Upside
The Browns selected David Njoku in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft and cut Gary Barnidge pretty much right after. Cleveland clearly views Njoku as its starting tight end, so he should be in a good position to receive targets this season. He’s a big (6-foot-4) and fast (4.64 40-yard time) tight ends for his size. He wasn’t overly productive in college, but he’s an ideal player at the tight end position.
Fantasy Downside
Rookie tight ends have a long history of not producing in their first year. Since the merger, only seven rookie tight ends have ever passed 600 yards receiving, and only two of those were after 2000. Njoku is also in an offense that isn’t too appealing for redraft value.
2017 Bottom Line
Njoku could have a nice NFL future, but it’s unlikely his success comes this season. He’s an intriguing prospect, but probably not someone worth drafting in most leagues.
