Report: Patriots Continue to Be Linked to Promising Tight End

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku wants to leave the team and it looks like several teams want to get the 24-year-old. Is New England on his list? Will the Patriots try to get the tight end?

Njoku’s agent Drew Rosenhaus said that his client wants to leave the team through a trade. The announcement was made during Independence Day weekend. Adam Schefter from ESPN was the first to report the big news.

Several outlet have connected Njoku to the Patriots. Head coach Bill Belichick and the organization don’t really react to rumors. The Patriots didn’t do anything and then signed Cam Newton to a one-year deal.

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

Will the Patriots need a tight end?

New England still has some decisions to make. Their roster needs work and they have a few options left. Adding Njoku may make things tough for the Patriots, but the situation is not really impossible.

“As enthused as we all got over the Patriots finally drafting tight ends Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene in April, Njoku is barely a year older than Asiasi, who turns 23 next month,” NBC Sports’ Tom E. Curran wrote. “And Njoku’s already spent three years in the league with 32 catches for 386 yards as a rookie and 56 for 630 in 2018.

“Despite the drafting of Keene and Asiasi, tight end is a position that shouldn’t be seen as sewn up. It’s going to be critical to the success of a Newton-led offense and the Patriots can make up for lost time if they can convince Cleveland to cough Njoku up.”

Isaiah Houde from USA Today believes that Njoku would be “a surefire starter” providing a large and athletic body for the red zone. Njoku is a nice fit for Newton who measures at 6-foot-5. Newton works well with large targets and he has already worked with Asiasi, N’Keal Harry, and Mohamed Sanu.

“He would be the surefire starter and would provide a large and athletic body for the red zone. 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.”

Time for a change

According to analysts, Njoku may be more of an H-Back than a traditional tight end who is ready to play on the edge of the O-Line. The Patriots weapons could work really welly with Newton as starting quarterback.

Njoku is heading into the upcoming season with a chip on his shoulder. Belichick will use Newton and the rest of the guys to prove that he can win without Tom Brady.