Could the Philadelphia Eagles be looking at trading for David Njoku?
Are the Philadelphia Eagles looking for a new tight end?
The NFL trade deadline is right around the corner, and the Philadelphia Eagles could be looking to be buyers as they push to win the dreadful NFC East. The Eagles sit in first place right now in the division with a 2-4-1 record, with two straight divisional matchups coming up. Somebody has to win this division, so why not the Eagles?
After a Week 7 Thursday night win over the New York Giants, the Philadelphia Eagles are starting to get healthier, as several players look to come off of the injured reserve, including Jalen Reagor, Jason Peters, and TJ Edwards.
Players are coming back, with some still working their way back, including tight ends Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert. Both will be out for the Week 8 game against the Dallas Cowboys, and when they return is unknown. For another week, the Philadelphia Eagles will rely on Richard Rodgers as their TE1. Rodgers had a nice game against the Giants, but more depth is needed after him, as Jason Croom and Hakeem Butler are the other active tight ends on the roster.
So, where do the Eagles go to find another tight end?
A potential trade has already been brought up, and it makes a ton of sense.
In the last week, NFL analyst Charley Casserly proposed a hypothetical trade where the Philadelphia Eagles acquire tight end David Njoku from the Cleveland Browns. As one of the four deals he thinks could happen this trade deadline, Casserly outlined this trade between the two teams:
It’s an interesting deal, and it makes sense for both teams.
The Philadelphia Eagles are currently down to their third string tight end and could use help right now at that position. Given how much the offense uses 12 personnel and the uncertainty of when Ertz or Goedert will be back, Njoku would provide immediate help. Not only for this year, but Njoku can be a big part of the offense moving forward, as he has a $6 million cap hit for 2021. A sixth round pick for a year and a half control of a former first round tight end? That will work.
This deal also makes sense for the Cleveland Browns. After being drafted in the first round in 2017, Njoku just hasn’t found a groove in the Browns offense. He was hampered by injuries in 2019 and early this season after a good 2018 campaign. The Browns picked up the fifth year option on Njoku’s rookie contract, but later signed Austin Hooper in free agency and drafted Harrison Bryant. Both who seem to be outproducing Njoku this season and look to be in their long term plans.
It was also reported that Njoku was looking for a trade before and during the season this year. Although he denied these reports, there’s a reason these first came out. Even if the Browns don’t trade Njoku, they can cut him after this season and have no dead money on the books. The thought of getting something now for Njoku rather than outright cut him is an easy choice for the Browns. A change of scenery could be just what Njoku needs, and why not make that scene the city of Philadelphia?
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The Philadelphia Eagles could use immediate help with depth at the tight end position. Richard Rodgers is holding it down for now, but it’s unsure how it will last. If there’s a low risk, high reward deal out there for a former first round pick like Njoku, why not take a chance? If it works out the rest of this year, David Njoku could be a big piece for the Philadelphia Eagles moving forward.