As the Cleveland Browns head into a pivotal 2025 season, one of the most intriguing storylines isnât about their quarterback situation.
David Njoku has experienced a rollercoaster career with the Browns. Heâs dealt with injuries, quarterback turnover, and fluctuating roles within different offensive systems.
Yet despite the inconsistency, Njoku finally broke through in 2023, earning his first Pro Bowl selection and cementing himself as one of the top tight ends in the NFL.
Njokuâs 2025 Could Surprise Browns Fans
That recognition was backed by numbers. Njoku finished 2023 with 81 receptions for 882 yards and six touchdowns, most of which came during a late-season surge with veteran quarterback Joe Flacco.
According to Pro Football Focus, he posted one of the highest grades among tight ends during the final stretch of the regular season. That chemistry with Flacco helped showcase Njokuâs ability to serve as a safety valve and red zone threat.
Entering 2025, Njoku is ranked among the leagueâs best tight ends. Several offseason rankings have placed him in the top seven to 10 tight ends in the NFL.
While Jerry Jeudy is coming off a huge breakout year, expected to be Brownsâ premier wide receiver, Njoku may once again be leaned on heavily â especially if the team spends time playing from behind.
But while Njokuâs role appears to be expanding, thereâs also pressure coming from behind.
That pressure comes in the form of Harold Fannin Jr., the Brownsâ 2025 third-round pick. A former standout at Bowling Green, Fannin enters his rookie season with a combination of athletic upside and receiving skills that have the Browns coaching staff intrigued.
Heâs already impressed during offseason workouts, drawing praise for his route running, versatility, and ability to line up in different spots on the field.
Though Fannin is still raw as a blocker and will need time to adjust to NFL speed, the rookie tight end is emerging quickly. His presence adds a new layer of complexity to the tight end room.
Some believe the Browns drafted Fannin not just as a depth piece, but as a potential long-term option â or at least a strong complement â to Njoku.
Thatâs where things get interesting.
Brownsâ Future On Offense
Njoku is under contract through 2026, but the Browns could create significant cap space if they decide to move on from him after 2025. That doesnât mean a split is imminent, but it raises the stakes. If Fannin continues to develop and carves out a larger role this season, the team may start to weigh their long-term options more carefully.
Itâs also worth noting that Njokuâs biggest boost came with Flacco under center â and Flacco isnât guaranteed to start in 2025. If Deshaun Watson returns to the lineup or another quarterback like Oregon rookie Dillon Gabriel steps in, Njokuâs role and production could shift dramatically. That uncertainty adds even more intrigue to the position battle behind him.
Njoku enters the year with high expectations and a growing national profile. Heâs earned praise and the trust of his teammates. But behind him, Fannin is emerging fast â and could force his way into more snaps sooner than expected.
For a team still sorting out its identity on offense, the tight end position might be one of the most quietly important spots on the roster. Whether itâs Njoku holding down the top spot or Fannin turning heads as a rookie, the Brownsâ tight end room has become one to watch closely in 2025.
Both players bring something different to the table, and how Cleveland balances those strengths may end up shaping the offense in surprising ways this fall.
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