Browns don’t have to and shouldn’t sell low on David Njoku

David Njoku may be pushing for a trade, but the Browns shouldn’t feel pressure to sell low.

Seemingly out of the blue, early in the July 4 weekend, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku had asked for a trade. A recent change in representation, to Drew Rosenhaus, might the reason for the request.

The Browns drafted Njoku in the first round (No. 29 overall) in the 2017 draft. He has yet to realize his potential, and coming off an injury-shortened 2019 season (five receptions in four games) his trade value isn’t exactly high. Cleveland also signed Austin Hooper in free agency and drafted Harrison Bryant in the fourth round of April’s draft, so Njoku’s role is likely to be reduced.

Via 247 Sports, ESPN Insider Jeff Darlington was on “Get Up” Monday morning. He offered his thoughts on Njoku’s situation, including why the Browns might not be compelled to move him.

“He was a first-round pick,” Darlington said. “What can they expect to get now in a situation where he’ll ultimately have to get paid in a year? A late-round pick is the only thing that makes sense and I just don’t know why the Browns would be incentivized to do that. I understand the request for the trade. I don’t understand why the Browns would feel the need to necessarily pull the trigger on that.”

The Browns exercised their fifth-year option on Njoku, so he’s under their control for the next two years. And with Kevin Stefanski in as the new head coach in Cleveland, tight ends have a prominent place in the team’s new offense.

Stefanski was the Minnesota Vikings’ offensive coordinator last year. According Sharp Football Stats, the Vikings had multiple tight ends on the field nearly 54 percent of the time. Based on that, Hooper, Njoku and Bryant will all three have some chance to contribute in 2020.

What Is David Njoku’s trade value right now?

Njoku would probably only fetch a late-round pick in trade right now, which reinforces the idea the Browns shouldn’t sell low.

Just this offseason, the Baltimore Ravens traded tight end Hayden Hurst and a 2020 fourth-round pick to the Atlanta Falcons for second and fifth-round picks in this year’s draft. Let’s call the fourth and fifth-round picks a wash. So it basically comes down to Baltimore getting a second-round pick for Hurst. He is a solid comp to Njoku, as a former late first-round pick tight end on a team who didn’t appear to have much room for him.

Njoku can’t be blamed for wanting a trade since the Browns have made moves to push him down the depth chart. But they don’t have to bend to the will of Rosenhaus, and a trade of Njoku should only come on their terms when or if offers can realistically be better.