Browns Exercising 5th-Year Option on David Njoku Literally Makes Zero Sense
By Michael Luciano
The Cleveland Browns exercised the fifth-year option for star defensive end Myles Garrett. Given his production, that should surprise no one. What is a touch on the surprising side, however, is that GM Andrew Berry exercised the same option for tight end David Njoku.
The former Miami star is now under contract in Cleveland for the next two seasons despite his injury history and the Browns' offseason moves.
The #Browns have exercised the 5th-year options of 2017 first-round picks Myles Garrett and David Njoku, per league source
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) April 27, 2020
This...makes no sense at all.
The Browns just made Austin Hooper the second highest-paid tight end in all of football when they signed the former Atlanta Falcons star to a four-year contract. Even after the Hooper deal, Cleveland used a fourth-round pick on former FAU tight end Harrison Bryant, a plus receiver who just won the Mackey Award after piling up 1,004 yards receiving during his final year in Boca Raton.
Keeping Njoku around a a third-stringer helps no one, as his trade value will go down the tubes in that role.
OWL OFF THE BOARD!!! Harrison Bryant, the top tight end in college football last season, is now part of the Cleveland @Browns as a fourth round pick! pic.twitter.com/1VslcRQ65w
— FAU Football (@FAU_Football) April 25, 2020
There is no doubting that Njoku is a solid receiver when he is healthy, but the Browns' offseason moves indicated that they would like to move on from him. Kevin Stefanski better have a few three tight end sets in his playbook.