DawgTalkers.net Forums The Archives 2017 NFL Season 2017 NFL Draft Browns pick David Njoku with the 29th pick

I'm pulling for him because he's a Brown now, but I see a guy who will be targeted over and over on third downs by opponents in a draft loaded with safeties who can cover and hit. I would not have drafted him in the top four rounds in this draft, but I know better than to hold that against the kid, I just see it as another huge botch by the front office.

*edit* for clarity, I'm talking about Peppers. I'm good with the Njoku pick.

Really don't know nothing about him. The only TE I really gave time to research was Howard. Looks like I'll be YouTubing later today haha...

If he's a solid player, then good move. Most accounts have people approving the pick so.

j/c:

I like this pick. Kid has a ton of potential and can be a match-up nightmare for defenses.

What I'm seeing is that this kid is K2, but still kinda raw.
First rounder purely for his athletic ability -- the things he lacks can be coached.

People on here are knocking his blocking ability as if he is terrible, but the draft profiles I'm reading are saying that he is a solid in-line blocker, but that his blocking is also a work in progress.

Solid pick. Peppers then Njoku. Early impressions this might be the best 1st we have ever had. We didn't reach and landed solid players that fell to us.

I loved OJ HOward and was pissed we didn't trade back up to get him because I really saw Howard just improve in every area and he was gonna be instant impact.

Now Ninja has some serious skill. he is imho well worth a top 20 selection. He is just super raw. He isn't a good blocker but he is a willing blocker, those long arms, he could probably be a tackle in a few years if he worked at it. He does however have give his QB a big target and that's something I love in a guy with wingspan. He could easily end up being the best offensive player in this entire draft.

I believe we may be gearing up for a lot of 2 TE sets.

It's not just his wingspan, it's his up ability too. A high-jump national champion, watching the highlight reels... it's clear as day that trait shines. Especially that front flip to get into the endzone. And it isn't that he hurdled the defensive player, it's that he hurdled his own player who was barely crouching.

Up up and away!!!!!!!!!!

and special teams

Wanna see what you're getting with Njoku, watch the Pitt game, it's a good overall representation of what he can do.

http://draftbreakdown.com/video/david-njoku-vs-pittsburgh-2016/

Yes, he had a drop, he was looking to run before he caught the ball and that was on him, but he blocks, he can catch, he's athletic and tough to bring down in space. Your basic match-up nightmare who won't have to come out on running plays.

Here's my thought on the whole thing...

Did we really need a TE? This is a guy we're going to have to develop. Are we really that much better with him over our current TEs (Barnidge, DeValve, Telfer(?))?

Yes.

Yes +1

Barnidge will be 32 in September, DeValve has proven nothing, and Telfer is a warm body.

Barnidge looked like yet another 1 year wonder at TE. he couldn't catch, struggled to separate. He sucked butt nuggets.

Devalve I think could be really good, he started to get healthy at the end of the year and it showed. but hey I like 2 TE sets so all in favor of having Barndige as my 3rd TE lol

Fair enough... thanks!

Problem is that the Kid can't catch, and you cannot teach that, we have tried it a million times before...

weird, because he has an awful lot of catches, and damn near topped K2's single season record at The U, for a guy that can't catch.... and he nearly topped that record with fewer catches.

At least you aren't prone to hyperbole

11% of drop rates, and scouts mention it, and you can see it on film.

Bad route runner and problems catching the ball. He's a good blocking TE and that's it. A glorified HB/FB

I think he kicked your cat or something. Stepped out with your woman maybe?

Inexperienced route runner with only two seasons of college play, and is only 20 years old.

11% -- that puts him right on par with guys like Vernon Davis, Jermaine Gresham, Brandon Pettigrew, etc....

It's not great, but it can easily be coached up - especially with a young and inexperienced kid.

You're just being a hater and picking nits over things that can be taught and worked on.

Did you saw the film break up on Njoku?

From NFL draft profile:

"Hands too high and wide at point of attack. Inconsistent hands over two years at Miami. Focus drops were a problem. Had eight drops over last two seasons for drop rate over 11 percent. Speed allows him to uncover on downfield routes and hasn't had to learn nuances of setting up defenders with route work"

From CBS sports:

"Strong hands, but inconsistent focus and too many drops on his film. Not always interested in blocking and falls asleep at the wheel. "

Just watch him catch a ball, it's ugly I'm teling you.

All his drops occurred on passes less than 10 yards (per PFF) and seem more of the trying to make something happen too quickly than bad hands variety. He has gigantic hands and can pluck the ball with them. I don't think it'll be a problem.

Michael Crabtree had 9 drops last season. Does he have bad hands, too?

8 drops in 2 years isn't bad for a guy that doesn't understand route running yet. brain thinking about the route instead of brain waiting for the catch. He was the 2nd best Te in this draft and he is learning how to block, how to run routes. The kid has as much upside as anyone in this entire draft. Plus he is still just 20 years old.

Yes, people said the same thing about Momass, Edwards, etc

You can't teach how to catch a ball, either you can or you can't, specially after playing the position for years like he did.

I hate both picks, I think both Peppers and Njoku are wasted picks, its not hate at the kids, its just our FO is fundamentally wrong drafting players in the 1st round. Except for Miles Garett, which I think is a great pick.

Catching balls is a receivers trait, its transferred where ever the player goes, it has been showned over and over again.

Go and watch a catch of him, its ugly really ugly...

Believe me, I'm not hating the kid, just watch his film please. Njoku catching is like Tebow throwing, its head scratching to say the least.

Seems he's a boy in a man's body!
I'm thinking his upside has to be huge. Maybe we got him early but time will tell.
Apparently they think enough of him to jettison Barnidge

Browns are letting Barnidge go after drafting Njoku per NFL Network and his twitter.

https://twitter.com/garybarnidge/status/858014858486444032

Sorry to see Barnidge go, but I understand it.

We are going to plug youth in everywhere we can. Njoku wasn't drafted to sit and/or develop .... he was drafted to start. Same with our other 1st round picks. They're going to be starting.

If Njoku sucked that bad why was he considered a late 1st early 2nd round TE? Why? Because he has HUGE upside with coachable deficiencies. His tape by the way is not without errors but is still outstanding.

I've actually watched film on him. He looks good. What are you looking at?

good point. Plus, we have a pretty good WR coach