David Njoku is now the big cheese in Browns' tight end room

Jul. 30—David Njoku is in a happy place now. A contented yet hungry smile has replaced the scowl the Browns tight end once wore daily.

Njoku is now THE MAN in the tight end room. General manager Andrew Berry made that abundantly clear when he released Austin Hooper in March and signed Njoku to a four-year, $54,750,000 contract with $28 million guaranteed.

Pretty good for a player who two years ago wanted to be traded because he felt disrespected when the Browns signed Hooper to a four-year, $42 million contract.

David Njoku "can't wait" to start playing games with Deshaun Watson as his quarterback. #Browns pic.twitter.com/G1qzuJjCQx

— Jeff Schudel (@jsproinsider) July 30, 2022

"I'd say mostly growth, growth and the love of my teammates," Njoku said before practice July 30. "We're trying to grow like a pack, stay very close. You start playing for not just yourself but the people around you as well. And the fans. I love the fans."

Njoku, a first-round draft pick in 2017, caught 56 passes his second year in the league. He caught a total of 60 passes the last three seasons.

So why would the Browns give him such a huge contract when his production has been less than spectacular — at least from a reception standpoint? It is because the Browns believe he is now a complete player, one ready to take on the role of primary tight end that belonged to Hooper the last two years.

"We talked a little about this when we signed David," head coach Kevin Stefanski said July 30 before the first practice open to fans. "His game has evolved. I'm really proud of him and the work that he's put in and watching his blocking develop over the course of time that I've been here. He has really bought in. He's obviously big enough and strong enough to do a lot of those jobs."

Njoku isn't going to portray himself as the focus of the offense no matter how many times he is prodded. He, wide receivers Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones plus running backs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt give Stefanski and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt multiple options when they are concocting the weekly game plan. And tight end Harrison Bryant. Njoku says Bryant should not be left out of the discussion.

"I see (the offense) evolving great as long as we keep bringing that work every day," Njoku said. "That's really the power in the pudding, is just every day, grinding, pushing each other to be better than yesterday.

"I'm just here to do whatever I can do to help the team win each day, not just games — win each day because in camp it's a grind and we all have to work together to accomplish our mission."

It was noted earlier how Njoku's reception totals have tailed off. A broken wrist in 2019, and not being a favorite of former head coach Freddie Kitchens, limited him to four games and five catches in 2019. He caught 19 passes in 202 in Stefanski's first year as head coach. He caught 36 passes last season and proved a willing blocker. That was enough to convince Berry it was safe to move on from Hooper.

"Really in 2020 and going into 2021, I was blocking more than running routes," Njoku said. "I had two options. I could either cry about it or block. I chose to block. So now I enjoy it a lot. It's very fun for me."

Another receiver injured

Isaiah Weston, an undrafted rookie wide receiver from Northern Iowa, suffered an apparent knee injury in practice July 30 and was taken from the field on the back of an equipment cart.

Weston is the third receiver sidelined with an injury. Rookie David Bell is recovering from a foot injury and Anthony Schwartz is "day-to-day," the Browns are saying, with a knee injury.

There was no immediate report on the severity of Weston's injury.