'So much room to grow': Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku taps his potential

CLEVELAND — When David Njoku was asked if he’d turned in the complete game he’d been seeking his entire career, he kept his hopes and dreams to himself.

“I think there’s always room to improve, personally and as a whole,” Njoku said.

The tight end drafted 29^th overall in 2017 had just caught a career-high nine passes on 10 targets for 89 yards and a touchdown in the Browns’ 29-17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers Thursday night at FirstEnergy Stadium.

It was the most receptions by a Cleveland tight end in a single game since Jordan Cameron totaled nine at New England on Dec. 8, 2013.  Njoku (1,882) now trails Gary Barnidge by 56 yards for the fourth-most by a tight end in franchise history.

Amari Cooper, who became the first Browns receiver to have back-to-back 100-yard games in nine years, added seven catches for 101 yards and a touchdown. But Cooper thought Njoku stole the show.

“We believe we have the guys in the building that can achieve great things. David over there had all the catches,” Cooper said, laughing.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski knew that Njoku was also instrumental in blocking as the Browns totaled 376 yards against a Steelers defense that was missing three-time All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt. Stefanski said it’s a good thing for Njoku that the Browns’ next game is Oct. 2 at Atlanta.

“I think that is the thing with Dave. We have talked about it. There are games where coverage dictates the ball goes elsewhere, and he blocks his rear end off,” Stefanski said. “He needs this weekend to rest because we had him out there. He was blocking at the point of attack, working hard in the run game and making plays in the pass game. He really played hard.”

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In late May, Njoku signed a four-year contract extension worth a maximum of $56.75 million with $28 million guaranteed. His annual average of $13.68 million made him the fifth highest-paid tight end in the league behind George Kittle, Travis Kelce, Dallas Goedert and Mark Andrews.

The days of Njoku, 6-foot-4 and 246 pounds, being considered a diamond in the rough were over. It was time to produce.

Browns quarterback Jacoby Brissett was thrilled with Njoku’s performance against the Steelers. On the Browns’ last series of the first half, Brissett went to Njoku on three consecutive plays and he caught all three for 6, 19 and 10 yards.

“He always tells me he is always open,” Brissett said, laughing. “Every time in the huddle, he’s like, ‘I got you. I got you. I got you.’”

In the season-opening victory at Carolina, Njoku was no factor, with one catch for 7 yards.

“Another player who maybe in the first game didn’t see the touches or whatever the case may be, but made some big catches tonight,” Brissett said. “I think he did a really good job.

“Nobody really gives him credit for what he does in the run game that opens him up so much in the pass game. I think he is doing a great job. Like I said, he still has so much room to grow.”

In a sense, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was one of those who didn't give Njoku much credit. Asked about Njoku’s impact, Tomlin said, “[That was] less of an issue than [Nick] Chubb in the run game.

“[Chubb] was running through arm tackles and things of that nature, getting yards after contact. It wasn’t good enough.”

Three-time Pro Bowler Chubb finished with 113 yards on 23 carries and a touchdown and Njoku knew he had a hand in that.

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“I love everything that requires being a tight end,” Njoku said. “Whatever the team asks from me, I will do it 100 percent. I am just glad we got the win tonight.”

Njoku also praised Brissett when asked about his 7-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter.

“Jacoby threw an amazing ball,” Njoku said. “I believe that our chemistry is building as each week goes by so we have to just keep working hard together and we will do great things, God willing.”

Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MRidenourABJ.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns' David Njoku turns in complete game against Steelers