Cleveland Browns: David Njoku ready to make next leap

David Njoku parades the elite athleticism designed to make him an integral weapon as the Cleveland Browns enter what they hope will be a new era in 2018.

A mesmeric leap has fuelled glowing reviews of David Njoku’s ability since high school, right through to his selection as the No. 29 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. The 22-year-old’s illustrious trend of reaching new heights can now be the source of a blossoming importance to Hue Jackson’s offense.

May 2013 saw Cedar Grove’s Njoku clear a meet-record 7-0 in the high jump at the NJSIAA group championships in Egg Harbor Township. It was a performance that evoked early expectations that his sporting anatomy would grant him multiple paths to contemplate over the years to come.

Having retracted what he deemed a premature commitment to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights football program, Njoku confirmed in 2014 he would be playing at the University of Miami. This was later followed by a meet-record high jump display at the NJSIAA/Star-Ledger/M-F Athletic Group 1 Championships in South Plainfield with a first-time clearance of 7-1.

His high jumping résumé heading to Miami was glossed by added perceptions of the then-wide receiver Njoku as a potential tight end or linebacker in epitomising his vast array of expertise. A familiar high jump routine of producing explosive speed before transitioning into an expertly-timed and coordinated spring would soon coincide with his physical growth through college in asserting a versatile tight end.

Though football became a clear priority at Miami, Njoku notably retained his dedication to competing on the track and field scene. In between participating in the event that had spearheaded his rise, Njoku was already turning heads on the field in his first college season.

A Hurricanes win over Virginia staged his first touchdown and saw him become just the team’s fourth tight-end in 20 years to surpass 58 yards with one reception. Any lurking fears of a difficulty translating his freak athletic prowess into playmaking value were swiftly being diminished.

Njoku wasn’t isolated as an outright tight end until the 2016 season, in which he averaged 11.2 yards after the catch per reception, according to Pro Football Focus’ scouting report entering the 2017 draft.

Sheer power was complimented by a slippery take-off in showcasing an NFL prospect capable of polishing desirable attributes on request. One prevailing aspect of this was an admirable approach to enhancing his blocking – an area he had been expected to struggle with in light of his receiver frame. Struggle he did not.

"Speaking in the build up to the draft, Njoku told NFL.com: “I was never afraid to block. I’ve been blocking since I was like 230 [pounds] against people who were 270.”“Being coached by [Todd] Hartley, blocking is very important. They don’t like just receiving tight ends because they don’t believe in that, so they put down the hammer when it comes to blocking. It’s very serious, so we took it as such.”"

Njoku may have fallen behind O.J. Howard and Evan Engram, selected 19th and 23rd, respectively, but he could have very easily and justifiably been the first tight end off the board in Philadelphia last year.

Fast forward past his gruelling 0-16 debut season and Njoku is primed for a potential breakout year following the Browns’ productive offseason of recruitment. All 6-4 and 246 pounds of Njoku have impressed throughout training camp within a galvanised offense.

Dropped catches have loomed as a minor concern, but one Njoku’s history suggests he is capable of ironing out with added experience. This is also sure to be helped by the accuracy and security Tyrod Taylor promises to offer at quarterback.

The Browns’ preseason opener against the New York Giants proved a timely insight into Njoku’s rhythm out of camp as he reeled in two out of three targets for 46 yards and two touchdowns.

His first score exhibited his 4.64-second 40 speed and decisive route-running as he evaded linebacker Alec Ogletree with some ease to meet Taylor’s pass. The second proclaimed his vertical threat when he out-leapt cornerback Leonard Johnson in the end zone to mark Baker Mayfield’s maiden touchdown pass.

Njoku’s prominence as a target for his starting signal-caller, likely to be Taylor, can be aided rather than subdued by his revamped offensive unit. Jarvis Landry’s arrival from the Miami Dolphins, the fourth-round selection of Antonio Callaway and the return of Josh Gordon promises to deny opposition teams the regular freedom of double-coverage, which all four look equipped to overcome anyway.

An area of intrigue for the Browns is how new offensive coordinator Todd Haley will fit Njoku and Seth Devavle into his setup. Njoku is expected to be workhorse out of the two tight ends on the back of his team-high four receiving touchdowns last season.

Nonetheless, Haley’s offense saw Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James targeted just 63 times in 2017, despite being on the field for 81.92 percent of offensive snaps. In fairness, any team can be forgiven for not overlooking Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell. It’s Njoku’s blistering speed that may aid him in this respect by offering him up as an additional option on the outside.

With veteran Darren Fells arriving as blocking support, Haley could opt to utilise two tight ends in aim of devoting to the offensive value of one – that being Njoku. Haley’s use of tight ends in the past perhaps raises more questions surrounding Devalve’s role than that of Njoku’s.

A more well-rounded receiving corps not only gives Taylor, and possibly Mayfield, a better chance of making an impact, but could also carve openings for Njoku to emerge as a standout playmaker.