The Browns have placed a franchise tag on TE David Njoku.
Njoku, a 2017 first-round pick, amassed one of the best seasons of his five-year career in 2021 when he recorded 36 receptions and 475 receiving yards and led the Browns with four receiving touchdowns. He also recorded the longest reception by an NFL tight end in 2021 after a 71-yard touchdown grab against the Chargers on Oct. 10. He's totaled 1,754 yards and 15 touchdowns across his career and has been a key cog in the Browns' run game as well, using his massive 6-foot-4, 246-pound frame to clear rushing lanes.
At the end of last season, Njoku expressed his desire to return to the Browns and stay in Cleveland after the success the team had achieved over the last two seasons. The Browns have won 19 games in the last two years, their most in a two-season period since 1988-89, and Njoku — who was on the Browns when they had a winless season in 2017 — believes Cleveland is capable of being even better.
"It's a lot of blood, sweat and tears that was put into these last few years," Njoku said on Jan. 10. "I owe it all to God. We just have to keep working … I love it here. I love it here to the core."
Njoku was commended by coaches at the end of last season for continuing to improve his game in all areas. 2021, for example, was Njoku's best season since 2018, and his receiving and touchdown totals have increased every year since 2019.
The Browns believe he's capable of growing even more, too, since he's only 25 but already has five years of experience in the NFL.
"He's come a long way, both on and off the field," Browns Executive Vice President and GM Andrew Berry said Tuesday at the NFL Combine. "That's a credit to him and how hard he worked. David as a player is 25 years old, and I think he's close to maturity. I think as his opportunities increase, his impact will as well."
Now, the Browns will see just how further Njoku can progress his game in 2022. Njoku is also the first non-kicker to receive the franchise tag in Browns history.
Njoku played in 16 games last season, catching 36 passes for 475 yards with a team-high four receiving touchdowns. The 2017 first round pick recorded the longest reception by a tight end in 2021 after a 71-yard touchdown grab at the Chargers on Oct. 10. Njoku has appeared in 65 career games and recorded 148 receptions for 1,754 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Tight end David Njoku (85) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football on January 3, 2022 at Heinz Field. The Browns lost 14-26.
Kansas City Chiefs at Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on 11/4/18
Tight end David Njoku (85) and Tight end Stephen Carlson (89) after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants on December 20, 2020 on Sunday Night Football at MetLife Stadium. The Browns won 20-6.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during a NFL football game between the Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns on November 21, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 13-10.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during a NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football on October 21, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 17-14.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during a NFL football game between the Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns on November 21, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 13-10.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on November 7, 2021 at Paul Brown Stadium. The Browns won 41-16.
Tight end David Njoku (85) after a NFL football game between the Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns on November 21, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 13-10.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on January 9, 2022 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 21-16.
Tight end David Njoku (85) and Quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football on November 28, 2021 at M&T Bank Stadium. The Browns lost 10-16.
2021 Cleveland Browns Media Day
Tight end David Njoku (85) before a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on January 9, 2022 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 21-16.
Tight end David Njoku (85) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Green Bay Packers on December 25, 2021 at Lambeau Field. The Browns lost 22-24.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during a NFL football game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Cleveland Browns on December 20, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 14-16.
Tight end David Njoku (85) before a NFL football game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Cleveland Browns on December 20, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 14-16.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football on November 28, 2021 at M&T Bank Stadium. The Browns lost 10-16.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during a NFL football game between the Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns on November 21, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 13-10.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Minnesota Vikings on October 3, 2021 at US Bank Stadium. The Browns won 14-7.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) and Tight end David Njoku (85) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on November 7, 2021 at Paul Brown Stadium. The Browns won 41-16.
Tight end David Njoku (85) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football on November 28, 2021 at M&T Bank Stadium. The Browns lost 10-16.
Tight end David Njoku (85) before a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on October 31, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 10-15.
Cleveland Browns at Tampa Bay Buccaneers on August 24, 2019 in the preseason at Raymond James Stadium.
Cleveland Browns at Los Angles Chargers game on December 2, 2017 at the StubHub Center. The Browns lost 10–19.
Tight end David Njoku (85) before a NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football on October 21, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 17-14.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice on October 29, 2021.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Chargers on October 10, 2021 at SoFi Stadium. The Browns lost 42-47.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Chargers on October 10, 2021 at SoFi Stadium. The Browns lost 42-47.
Cleveland Browns at Chicago Bear game on December 24, 2017 at Soldier Field. The Browns lost 3-20.
Tight end David Njoku (85) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Minnesota Vikings on October 3, 2021 at US Bank Stadium. The Browns won 14-7.
Tight end David Njoku (85) and Jim Brown after walk-through on September 25, 2021.
Tight end David Njoku (85) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Minnesota Vikings on October 3, 2021 at US Bank Stadium. The Browns won 14-7.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during the eighth day of training camp on August 6, 2021.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) and Tight end David Njoku (85) during a NFL football game between the Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns on September 19, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 31-21.
Tight end David Njoku (85) at the 2021 Jarvis Landry Celebrity Softball Game on June 12, 2021 at Classic Park Stadium.
Tennessee Titans at Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2019 at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Tight end David Njoku (85) and Quarterback Baker Mayfield (6)during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on October 25, 2020 at Paul Brown Stadium. The Browns won 37-34.
Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals game on December 29, 2019 at Paul Brown Stadium.
Players visited the UH Rainbow Babies and Children's hospital on October 29, 2019 for a Halloween at the Hospital event.
Tight end David Njoku (85) before a NFL football game between the Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns on November 15, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 10-7.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during an NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on September 13, 2020 at M&T Bank Stadium. The Browns lost 6–38.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice on November 20, 2019.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield (6), Tight end David Njoku (85) and Tight end Demetrius Harris (88) during practice on August 26, 2019
Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens game on September 17, 2017 at M&T Bank Stadium.Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens game on September 17, 2017 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Detroit Lions at Cleveland Browns on August 29, 2019 in the preseason at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during the third day of training camp on July 27, 2019.
As part of Browns Give Back's commitment to education, the Cleveland Browns Foundation and Maple Heights School District celebrated the recent launch of the Get 2 School, Stay in the Game! Network during a visit to Barack Obama Elementary School. While at the school, Browns players recognized select students to congratulate them for showing exemplary or significantly improved attendance, as well as met with a group of students who could benefit from better attendance to help motivate them to get to school.
Tight end David Njoku (85) on July 24, 2019.
New York Jets at Cleveland Browns at First Energy Stadium on September 20, 2018 on Thursday Night Football
Tight end David Njoku (85) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football on January 3, 2022 at Heinz Field. The Browns lost 14-26.
Tight end David Njoku (85) before a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on October 31, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 10-15.
New York Jets at Cleveland Browns game on October 8, 2017 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 14–17
Cleveland Browns vs Denver Broncos at Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado on December 15, 2018.
Miami Dolphins at Cleveland Browns game on November 24, 2019 at First Energy Stadium.
3 Players Tendered
The Browns also tendered three exclusive rights free agents: WR Ja'Marcus Bradley, G Michael Dunn and OL Blake Hance.
Bradley has appeared in eight games since joining the Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2020. He registered four receptions for 64 yards in five games last season.
Dunn started two games at right guard and appeared in 14 total games in 2021.
Hance appeared in all 17 games in 2021, starting eight of them (six at right tackle, two at left tackle).
