Thursday Night Comeback
Week 3 of Thursday Night Football finally gave us the anticipated – and often predicted – comeback of Browns tight end David Njoku for fantasy football. But that isn’t for a lack of patience from fantasy managers.
David Njoku was drafted in 2017 by the Cleveland Browns with the 29th pick of the 1st round. He showed flashes of potential in his rookie season but was only able to finish the season as the TE25 in fantasy football.
In 2018, Njoku arrived and finished as TE9 in fantasy football. He racked up 56 receptions for 639 yards and 4 touchdowns. Nothing earth shattering by any means, but a solid start of what seemed to be an up and coming star.
In the seasons that followed, David Njoku finished as TE86, 48 and 23. He was then coming into a contract year and seemed to be destined to find a new home in the offseason. Then the Browns did what only the Browns could do. They signed Njoku to a 4 year $54.75 million deal. This shocked the NFL world, but seemed to signify that the Browns believed in Njoku and that he would be their guy moving forward.
Surely, Njoku’s comeback was inevitable.
Off to a Rough Start
In his first game of his big contract, Njoku faced the Panthers but disappointed; with 1 reception and 7 yards good for 1.70 fantasy points. Many fantasy managers seemed to give him a pass, assuming he would rebound in Week 2.
In Week 2, the Browns faced the lowly Jets. This was certain to be his blowup game. However, that wouldn’t happen either. Njoku finished Week 2 with a stat line of 3 receptions and 32 yards, totaling 6.20 points.
Just like that, the dreams of Njoku as the late round tight end gem were dashed. After Week 2, Njoku found his way to the waiver wire as a roster clogger in most leagues; as many managers had lost faith.
That led us to the Week 3 on Thursday Night Football, where the Browns faced the vaunted Steelers defense; and it finally happened.
Only days after many fantasy managers had sent Njoku packing, he finally re-emerged and had himself a game. Njoku racked up 9 receptions for 89 yards and 1 touchdown which added up to 23.90 points; a 20 point mark that Njoku had only reached once in his previous five years.
David Njoku was drafted as TE18 in the 150-160 overall range and was typically had as a backup tight end. Is Njoku this season’s late round tight end steal? Or is this just another tease from a talented player? Only time will tell.
