Welcome back for another adventure into the world of fantasy football! I am your humble host, Steve Lawson, and I will be your fantasy sherpa to guide you to the summit of championship glory!
Note: No Punt Intended will air on Wednesday, June 22th, with Special Guests Hutchinson Brown and Eric Moody of ESPN! We will be covering the Browns, Ravens, and Dolphins.
David Njoku: full of potential, but has nothing to show for it.
This week, we will be exploring the wonderfully dysfunctional world of the Cleveland Browns. Mainly, their all-potential, zero-results (so far) tight end, David Njoku!
I know what you are saying, “Ew, David!” Basically, right? Every year, people put the hype out about Njoku, and every year you draft him hoping for big things. Then, he ends up being a dud and you are left looking like a fool holding this guy and continuously saying, “Just you wait!”
But, yes, David Njoku will be a huge bounce-back candidate, breakout candidate, and league-winning candidate! I know, I know, bold take for a guy who through five seasons has put up 639 yards, 4 TDs, and 56 catches as his best combined season (per ESPN).
Potential?
However, the Browns just paid handsomely for a guy who is absolutely bursting with potential! Bet on talent here. There aren’t many other guys on this roster who will eat into the target share that will presumably come from someone not named Watson. If it does come from Watson, rank Njoku even higher!
This is a big-bodied tight end with high-end speed for the position, running an impressive 4.6 40-yard dash at 6’4″ and 250lbs. The Browns’ offense is going to want to take the pressure off of Nick Chubb this season to keep him healthy for the full year. This is a great sign for Njoku’s value.
With pretty crisp route running, the recognition from Cleveland that they made a huge mistake with Austin Hooper, and now the money to incentivize the Browns to give him the ball, I see Njoku becoming one of the top tight ends for the coming season and for the next 3 going forward.
Remember, this guy is only 25 years old, the same age as some of the rookies this year. Buy the hype, finally, and climb to the top of the fantasy football mountain with me!
A Look Inside the Cleveland Browns
Editor’s Note: We asked our writers to focus on one player, but we don’t want to leave you hanging on the rest of the team. While Steve focuses on David Njoku in fantasy football, here is a quick look at the rest of the Browns. This list is prepared by either Josh Hudson or Ryan Weisse
Deshaun Watson: Look, it’s no secret the off-field issues Watson is faced with. I won’t get into a public war of words, but instead focus on the type of fantasy impact he could have. The way things are looking, Watson could miss the entire 2022 season due to suspension. Or, he could miss a handful of games. He is an absolute unknown, and it wouldn’t be the worst idea to just avoid taking him at all and save yourself a headache. But if you love to gamble, a late-round dart throw isn’t the worst idea, if you can stomach it. – Josh Hudson
Jacoby Brissett: If Watson is in fact suspended, Brissett becomes the fill-in starter. He started five games for Miami last year, going 2-3 in those starts and averaging less than 120 passing yards per game. He didn’t run as much last year as he did during the two years he started for the Colts, but he does at least offer the threat of running. That should be good for the running game, at least. – Josh Hudson
Nick Chubb: This man is amazing, and people need to stop fading him in fantasy drafts. He racks up yards and touchdowns and it’s like none of you even care. He averages 5.3 yards per carry in his career and has 39 total touchdowns in four years. He’s finished as the RB8, RB7, and RB12 the last three years in points per game. His limited receiving work is what keeps his ADP lower than it should be. I say smile and thank your league mates en route to a playoff spot. – Josh Hudson
Kareem Hunt: The former Chiefs starting RB has been a thorn in Chubb manager’s sides for a couple of years now. He finished as the RB10 in 2020 — RB22 in PPG — and was injured for half the season last year. He remains an effective pass catcher with 16 receiving TDs in his five seasons. When the Browns decided to re-sign D’Ernest Johnson and draft Cincinnati’s Jerome Ford, the writing may be on the wall that Hunt’s time as an effective RB2 is over. – Josh Hudson
D’Ernest Johnson: For someone that was called too slow coming out of college, Johnson has started his career by averaging 5.3 yards per carry. He filled in admirably last year when Hunt went down with an injury and earned himself a new contract. You could make an argument that Johnson is the RB2 on the Browns, and he comes a lot cheaper on draft day than Hunt. – Josh Hudson
Amari Cooper: The Browns traded a mid-round pick to Dallas to take on Cooper’s $20 million a year contract. Which, judging by the other WR deals signed this offseason, is looking like a bargain. Cooper is a mystery though. If Watson plays this season, Cooper is a screaming value as the current WR19 via FantasyPros. If Brissett starts most of the games, fantasy managers are greatly over-drafting Cooper. Brissett threw only five TDs in five starts and his top WR — Jaylen Waddle — averaged only 9.17 yards per catch. Best to draft him as a WR3 with upside than the WR2 he’s going as. – Josh Hudson
Donovan Peoples-Jones: Here’s a stat you may not believe — Peoples-Jones actually led the Browns in receiving yards in 2021. He’s the team’s best field stretcher, which tends to have more value in Best Ball than in redraft leagues. He’s a late-round dart throw, at best. – Josh Hudson
David Bell: Bell was drafted in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. The Browns ran the 4th fewest percentage of 3-WR sets a year ago and just spent big to keep Njoku. Bell will likely have a slow start to the season. But if he flashes or injuries take their toll, you could get a waiver-wire darling for your championship run. – Josh Hudson
Harrison Bryant: The former Mackey Award winner in college has had a slow start as the third TE in this Browns offense. Now the TE2 for the Browns, Bryant can carve out a role that could see him reach 60 targets this season. For a guy that excels in the red zone — six TDs in two seasons — he’s a deep sleeper if anything were to happen to Njoku. – Josh Hudson
We hope you enjoyed our look at David Njoku for fantasy football this season. You can find all of our A Look Inside articles here!
If you’re prepping for your dynasty drafts, you can also find our rookie consensus rankings here if you’re preparing for your dynasty drafts!
Here at Club Fantasy, we love having fun and bringing our personalities to the articles we write! So if you agree with my takes, check me out over on Twitter! Until then, have a great day, week, month, or however long it is before we see you on here again! Remember, it’s never goodbye. It’s just ’til next time.