David Njoku
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Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport called the New England Patriots the best fit for veteran tight end David Njoku.
The New England Patriots will likely continue to pursue A.J. Brown and other wide receivers through a trade or free agency during the third week of March. But a tight end addition such as David Njoku could be on the table too.
Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport loves the idea of the Patriots adding Njoku. On Sunday, Davenport called New England the best fit for the former Cleveland Browns tight end.
“With Austin Hooper gone, the Patriots have a need for a pass-catching tight end. And New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels favored “12” personnel (two tight end) groupings long before they became the hip new thing in the NFL of late,” wrote Davenport.
“Given his injury history, Njoku is likely looking at one-year deals from here on out. And given how that mitigates the risk of signing him, he became all the more attractive to a Patriots team that can certainly afford him.”
Njoku hasn’t played more than 12 games in either of the past two seasons. But Davenport argued that could actually be a draw for the Patriots since it will likely make the veteran tight end more affordable.
In his last full season, Njoku posted 81 catches for 882 receiving yards with six touchdowns during 2023. Njoku received his lone Pro Bowl nomination that campaign.
Over nine years with Cleveland, Njoku caught 384 receptions for 4,062 yards with 34 touchdowns. According to Spotrac, he also made $70.16 million.
How TE David Njoku Could Fit With Patriots
Davenport wasn’t the first pundit to link the Patriots to Njoku through offseason rumors. Both local and national analysts alike see the veteran tight end as a great fit in New England.
“In free agency so far, Mike Vrabel and Co. have signed a fullback to help on the offensive line, along with a blocking tight end, which creates an opportunity to pursue more of a pass-catcher, and that could mean David Njoku becomes an option now,” wrote Fansided’s Musket Fire’s Sara Marshall.
“The almost 30-year-old has proven to be a versatile weapon at the position, as he has served predominantly as a blocker for the Browns one year, and more of a receiver the next. That’s the kind of player the Patriots could benefit from, especially now that they have added some reinforcements to help on the line.”
The Browns drafted Njoku at No. 29 overall in the first round because of the impressive physical traits he had entering the 2017 NFL Draft. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compared him to former second-team All-Pro tight end Greg Olsen.
Njoku’s issue throughout his career has been injuries. In 2025, he dealt with and played through knee ailments. The same issues sidelined Njoku at the end of 2024.
But when on the field, Njoku has still been productive in his late twenties. Last season, he had 33 catches for 293 yards with four scores in 12 games.
If Njoku is healthier this spring, the Patriots could roll the dice on the athletic playmaker with a short contract.
Patriots TE Depth Entering 2026
New England is potentially in the market for a tight end this spring because the team lost veteran Austin Hooper. To return to the Atlanta Falcons, Hooper signed a 1-year contract.
Ironically, Hooper and Njoku were teammates in Cleveland from 2020-21. Last season with the Patriots, Hooper posted 21 catches for 263 yards and two scores.
Hooper had 476 receiving yards during his first season in New England during 2024.
The Patriots signed 25-year-old tight end Julian Hill to a 3-year, $18 million contract during the first week of free agency. But Hill has just 33 catches for 288 yards with zero touchdowns in 45 career NFL games.
New England could use another pass-catching tight end to pair with Hunter Henry. That will especially be the case if the Patriots don’t make another significant addition at wideout.
While New England signed receiver Romeo Doubs in free agency, the team cut 2025 leading receiver Stefon Diggs.
If healthy, Njoku has the upside to be more dangerous than Hooper. Njoku would also give the Patriots the ability to run two-tight end sets, which will help mitigate the loss of Diggs.
Spotrac projected Njoku, who will turn 30 in July, as worth a 2-year, $19.98 million contract this offseason.