Athletic tight end who spent nine seasons in Cleveland before signing with the Chargers in 2026, a one-time Pro Bowler and top-three receiver in Browns history.
David Njoku was the Browns' first-round pick in 2017 and grew into one of the most athletic tight ends of his era. Across nine seasons in Cleveland he caught 384 passes for 4,062 yards and 34 touchdowns, before signing with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2026 on a one-year deal worth up to $8 million to give Justin Herbert's offense a proven seam threat.
Path to the league
Miami (FL) product taken 29th overall by Cleveland in 2017. Built his game on rare movement skills for the position, becoming a vertical and red-zone weapon. His 384 career receptions rank third in Browns history, his 4,062 yards 12th, and his 34 receiving touchdowns sixth.
Career highlights
Made his first Pro Bowl in 2023, setting career marks with 81 receptions, 882 yards, and six touchdowns, all top-six totals among NFL tight ends that season. His 2025 numbers dipped to 33 catches for 293 yards and four touchdowns amid Cleveland's quarterback instability.
Fit with the Chargers
Signed in 2026 to headline a tight end room that also added Charlie Kolar as a blocking specialist alongside 2025 rookie Oronde Gadsden II. In Mike McDaniel's offense, Njoku projects as the move tight end and a downfield target for Justin Herbert.
Sources
- Wikipedia: David Njoku
- Pro Football Reference: David Njoku
- Chargers: 5 things to know about David Njoku
Statistics
2025 season and career2025 Season · Receiving
12 games played▶Receiving · career
| Year | Team | GP | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | LNG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | browns | 12 | 33 | 293 | 8.9 | 4 | 23 |
| 2024 | browns | 11 | 64 | 505 | 7.9 | 5 | 29 |
| 2023 | browns | 16 | 81 | 882 | 10.9 | 6 | 43 |
| 2022 | browns | 14 | 58 | 628 | 10.8 | 4 | 38 |
| 2021 | browns | 16 | 36 | 475 | 13.2 | 4 | 71 |
| 2020 | browns | 13 | 19 | 213 | 11.2 | 2 | 28 |
| 2019 | browns | 4 | 5 | 41 | 8.2 | 1 | 18 |
| 2018 | browns | 16 | 56 | 639 | 11.4 | 4 | 66 |
| 2017 | browns | 16 | 32 | 386 | 12.1 | 4 | 34 |
▶Rushing · career
| Year | Team | GP | CAR | YDS | AVG | TD | LNG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | browns | 14 | 2 | -8 | -4.0 | 0 | -2 |
| 2021 | browns | 16 | 1 | 1 | 1.0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2017 | browns | 16 | 1 | 1 | 1.0 | 0 | 1 |
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Tight End
- Group
- offense
- College
- Miami
- Hometown
- Cedar Grove, NJ, USA
- Age
- 29
- Status
- active
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