Patriots Linked to Browns Tight End Seeking Trade

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku is looking for a trade. Why is this so important? The New England Patriots have been linked with the 24-year-old. The Patriots entered the 2020 NFL Draft, and getting a tight end was a main concern.  It was a top need for the storied team, and head coach Bill Belichick and Nick Caserio selected UCLA’s Devin Asiasi and Virginia Tech’s Dalton Keene in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Analysts have great words for both players. But, Njoku may be available now, and that changes everything. Will the Patriots even try to get him as a top option for the starting quarterback. Who will start games for the Patriots? Cam Newton or Jarrett Stidham?

Adam Schefter from ESPN was the first to break the news on Njoku’s request for a trade. Njoku was the 29^th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. He had his fifth-year option picked up by the Cleveland Browns on April 27. The tight end will make $3,030,791 this season. In 2021, he will make $6 million. Cleveland took a different direction after he sustained a lot of injuries last season.

This offseason, the Browns signed two-time Pro Bowler Austin Hooper to a four-year deal worth $44 million with $23 million guaranteed. The team used a fourt-round pick on Harrison Bryant from Florida Atlantic. Yes, they are planning the future.

1/2 Browns’ TE David Njoku and his agent Drew Rosenhaus asked today for the team to trade him. The Browns told Njoku they would like to keep him, but Rosenhaus told them he’s intent on a trade. They want a trade before training camp.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 3, 2020

2/2 About David Njoku’s trade request today to the Browns, agent Drew Rosenhaus said: "It is in David's best interest to find a new team at this time."

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 3, 2020

Njoku may feel left out right now. He will have to take part in a battle similar to Newton. His original team moved on from him when the Carolina Panthers got Teddy Bridgewater.

This was more than enough for Patriots fans to start asking questions.

The Patriots may snatch the tight end

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Njoku may cost a fourth or fifth-round pick. Njoku has been part of the NFL for three seasons. He missed many games in 2019 due to an injury. However, he was really successful in his first two years.

The Browns have known for about a year that David Njoku was unhappy in Cleveland and would welcome a trade, I’m told. They were not blindsided by this. Early predictions from sources with other teams is Njoku might be worth a 4th or 5th round pick.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) July 4, 2020

In 2017, the then-rookie was able to catch 32 passes for 386 yards and 4 touchdowns. He was a starter in 5 games but saw action in all 16. In his sophomore campaign, Njoku started 14 games and caught 56 passes for 689 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Is Njoku a right fit for the Patriots?

“He would be the surefire starter and would provide a large and athletic body for the red zone,” Isaiah Houde from USA Today reported. “Njoku would also compliment Newton perfectly as well, who sits with a 6-foot-5 frame. Newton thrives with larger targets and he already has a few on the roster with Asiasi, N’Keal Harry, and Mohamed Sanu. Njoku’s presence would give the Patriots a strong blocker who’s ascending as a pass-catcher.”