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#29: TE, David Njoku, Miami

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Triplethreat

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Mock draft write up by our very own, @Randolphkeys:




David Njoku, TE, Miami
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/profiles/david-njoku?id=2557986

HT: 6'4" WT: 246LBS.
40 YARD DASH: 4.64 SEC
BENCH PRESS: 21 REPS
VERTICAL JUMP: 37.5 INCH
BROAD JUMP: 133.0 INCH
3 CONE DRILL: 6.97 SEC
20 YARD SHUTTLE: 4.34 SEC
ARM LENGTH: 35 1/4"
HANDS: 10"

Strengths
Great muscular definition with long arms and room for 10 more pounds. Elite athlete and seam buster deluxe. Can stick a foot in the ground and break in either direction at a 90-degree angle in shorter routes. Tremendous acceleration out of breaks to separate and widen the window for quarterbacks. Opens the throttle in open field. When he catches it on the move, the YAC yards can become an avalanche. Was 7 foot high-jumper in high school and can go up and over most everyone he faces. Hand quickness to get a last second push-off and still get hands up to secure catch. Finds soft spots against zones. Plays outside, from the slot and in-line. Willing to compete as a blocker. Can push defensive backs around from slot. Gets early arm extension into defender and looks to create some turn. Shows lateral blocking ability for zone scheme.

Weaknesses
Inexperienced at the position and still a work in progress. Needs to add to his play strength to handle in-line blocking as a pro. Don't skip leg days, bro. Struggled badly to stay in front of Pitt powerhouse Ejuan Price. 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. Needs to get head around and find ball quicker when working over top of linebacker.

NFL Comparison
Greg Olsen

My Take:

I was planning to take Evan Engram from Ol' Miss here, never expecting Njoku to fall this far. Njoku is just a redshirt sophomore. Two years ago he was a lean national high jump champion at a height of 7'1. He has packed on 30 pounds since then, dabbled in playing outside rush linebacker, and is still learning the position of tight end. For his career, he scores a touchdown every 5 touches. At the end of the day, we've all seen Kyle Shanahan's offense. He puts a matchup nightmare in motion all over the field to create mismatches. Vance McDonald can continue to be the in line tight end, signing a big contract last December. Njoku can be the focal point of the offense while Shanahan, a former University of Texas receiver, polishes his route running.
 
I like him as a redzone threat, and he's obviously got a ton of potential.

I think he's going to struggle at first though. Not a great blocker, and had a high drop rate. Of the big 3 TE's, Engram and Howard are way more NFL ready. But with Barnidge already here, it makes sense to draft somebody with upside.
 
This is a Barnidge replacement pick, IMO. He won't be an impact TE right away but 2-3 years from now he could be the best TE weapon in the league. Crazy athletic that has measurables comparable to a Gronk or Kelce type TE.
 
Barnidge is gone after this season, IMO. I don't know his contract situation off the top of my head but 1) He seemed to have a big drop off last season. 2) I had a chance to have dinner with a player last season and he said Barndige only wants to play 10 seasons. I believe this will be his 10th.
 
If he can become Greg Olsen we got a steak at 29, enough said
Steak or Steal? Either way...I will take it at #29!

We got a 20 year old with fantastic measurables + 1 extra year of control by selecting him in the 1st.
 
As a Miami TE drafted in the first round, he is in good company.

Bubba Franks, Jeremy Shockey, Greg Olsen, and Kellen Winslow.
 
If this kid gets a little stronger, keeps developing his blocking and can successfully become the Browns in-line tight end in a year or two, there's legitimate star potential there.

If he doesn't, he's still probably an excellent Joker long-term, but I think there's a lot more value if he can be in-line.
 
I like him as a redzone threat, and he's obviously got a ton of potential.

I think he's going to struggle at first though. Not a great blocker, and had a high drop rate. Of the big 3 TE's, Engram and Howard are way more NFL ready. But with Barnidge already here, it makes sense to draft somebody with upside.

Now with Barnidge gone.....does Thomas have to hold more and then forget he was called for it 3 plays later?
 
Well with Barnidge getting cut, this guy will see major playing time immediately.
 
Well with Barnidge getting cut, this guy will see major playing time immediately.

Well, I guess they are seeing what they have in all these young guys...
 

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