Dawgs By Nature
The Browns roster is ripe for the picking with NFL trade deadline rumors swirling including David Njoku
As America votes for a new President on Tuesday, many NFL players will also find a new home as the NFL trade deadline is the same day, November 5.
Several Cleveland Browns have been speculated to be on the trade block for several weeks. That thought process was placed on pause after the Browns defeated the Baltimore Ravens last weekend as they found a new offense that finally could move the ball. However, Sunday’s 27-10 shellacking from the Los Angeles Chargers placed Cleveland’s record at 2-7-0 and displayed their offensive output had a great one-game stand, and that was about it.
RELATED: ZA’DARIUS SMITH TRADE EXPECTED SOON
It does appear that any post-season hopes for the Browns are now gone despite half the season is still ahead. That should mean that Cleveland will definitely become “sellers” at the trade deadline.
Now comes the idea that TE David Njoku, who we noted as “untouchable,” may actually be available “for the right price” according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk:
Florio suggests that perhaps the Browns could part with Njoku despite this offense centered around a pass-catching tight end and the fact that he had his best season yet last year which culminated with his first Pro Bowl nod. This season he has 25 receptions for 226 yards and two touchdowns.
It very could become a situation where GM Andrew Berry decides that it is the right time to stockpile draft picks and dump some high-priced veterans. In 2022, Njoku signed a four-year $54.75 million contract extension which included a $11.46 million signing bonus, $28 million guaranteed, and an average salary of $13.68 million.
Currently, the franchise has veteran Jordan Akins listed as Njoku’s backup with blocking tight end Geoff Swaim as TE3. The practice squad sports Cameron Latu and Blake Whiteheart. Akins is in the final year of a two-year deal worth $3.9 million.
Trading Njoku would trigger a $20.87 million cap charge whereas if the Browns retain his services would result in a $14.25 million cash commitment plus a cap number of $22.18 million.
Acquiring draft picks seems to be the way to go at this point while at the same time ditching some expensive players and get younger on both sides of the ball.
Part of the issue is QB Deshaun Watson’s financial responsibilities for the club. He is owed another $92 million in the next two years. By dropping veterans with big contracts and replacing them with rookies who are paid much smaller deals will need to be accomplished to offset the huge cap drain from the Watson obligations.
Interested teams wanting to acquire Njoku’s services should include the Arizona Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Chargers, Denver Broncos, and the Seattle Seahawks.
None of this is clear at the moment and may be pure speculation. What we do know is that the Browns’ offense is a lot...
