The Cleveland Browns surprised many by passing up on the opportunity to select Travis Hunter with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. They did, however, receive exceptional draft capital in return for the pick and still came away with a key difference-maker in Mason Graham at No. 5 overall.
While most of the talk surrounding the Browns will focus on their new arrivals, a recent PFSN article has instead highlighted one player who may be on his way out in 2025.
Browns Predicted To Trade David Njoku Following 2025 NFL Draft
David Njoku has emerged as a star in the Browns’ offense in recent years. Njoku’s most productive season came in 2023, when recently re-signed quarterback Joe Flacco was leading the team. That year, Njoku posted career-highs in receptions (81), receiving yards (882), and touchdowns (six).
Nevertheless, PFSN’s Sterling Xie highlighted the tight end as a player who could find himself on a new team come September.
“It’s a total mystery who will play quarterback for the Cleveland Browns for the majority of the 2025 season. What doesn’t feel like a mystery is who the quarterback’s top two targets will be. Jerry Jeudy broke out last year when Jameis Winston gave the Browns a brief stint of exciting quarterback play, while David Njoku has been a fixture in the offense since being a first-round pick in 2017.
“However, Njoku is nearing the end of his second contract, with 2025 being the last year of his deal. Cleveland potentially implemented a succession plan during the draft, using a third-round pick on Harold Fannin Jr. The Bowling Green tight end will need to adjust to a massive jump in competition, but the 2024 FBS leader in receiving yards could be a passing game weapon right away.
“For a rebuilding Browns team, that may make Njoku a valuable trade commodity. Despite entering his ninth season, Njoku will still be 29 years old for all of next season. A team could reasonably want to trade and extend him, giving the Browns a chance to add even more draft capital as they seek to potentially make a move to the top of the 2026 draft for a franchise quarterback.”
Njoku’s presence made the Browns an eyebrow-raising landing spot for Fannin, who has immense potential as a receiving threat in the NFL.
Njoku has proven his ability to dominate the middle of the field and given Cleveland’s lack of quality receivers, the veteran tight end is even more important to the Browns’ offense.
However, with Fannin in town and Njoku not getting any younger, perhaps Cleveland could look to flip the star tight end to a win now team and pick up some additional draft assets.
For what it’s worth, here’s what PFSN’s Stats and Insights team had to say about the Fannin draft pick, which we graded a B: “Whoever’s playing quarterback for the Browns next season will need more weapons to target. Wide receiver was perceived as a bigger need, but David Njoku is also entering the final year of his contract. In Harold Fannin Jr., Cleveland is adding a tight end with a similar level of receiving ability.
“Fannin led the FBS with 117 catches in 2024, racking up 1,555 yards and 10 touchdowns. While his productivity came against a lower level of competition, his catch-point skills and sure hands are translatable regardless of competition. Fannin could be eased into multi-tight end sets in 2025 before potentially serving as Njoku’s successor.”
This is a bs story they are going back to Kevin’s offense and they will use 2 TE’s they will both be on the field at the same time it’s not a replace
Keep David Njoku in CLEVELAND !