David Njoku Is Not The Answer For The Bucs At Tight End
February 10th, 2026
Former (?) Browns TE David Njoku.
For most of the 2025 season, Joe believed there was only one hole in the starting offense.
And before Bucky Irving went… somewhere and Rachaad White shat all over the carpet of One Buc Palace on his way out the door, Joe for most of the year figured drafting a tight end in the 2026 first round wouldn’t be such a silly move.
Now to be fair to Bucs tight end Cade Otton, it’s very possible Otton wasn’t used right by former Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard.
The rare times Grizzard did use Otton as a primary target in the passing game, Otton made/caused/was victimized by ghastly turnovers.
Horrid turnovers in road losses to the Lions and Rams were Exhibits Nos. A and B.
Otton was a non-factor and perhaps a liability in the passing game. He scored the Bucs’ first touchdown in a 16-14 win on an 18-yard pass from Baker Mayfield. It was Otton’s first TD of the year.
When Otton caught that pass, Joe thought, “Where was that all season?”
Maybe Otton, a pending free agent next month, would be used differently by new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson?
Joe is very much open-minded to an upgrade at tight end. So much so that Joe is not against the Bucs selecting Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq in the first round (though Baylor’s Michael Trigg might be better value on Day 2 of the draft).
The Bucs need a weapon in the passing game from the tight end spot. Otton really isn’t that — but did he demonstrate last month he could be against Carolina?
That’s why last night Joe was intrigued when learning veteran Browns free agent-to-be tight end David Njoku announced he’s done in Cleveland.
Now Joe doesn’t get to watch too many Browns games. The last game Joe can remember watching the Browns — and why would anyone in their right mind want to watch the Browns? — was America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston’s snowglobe game in 2024, when Jameis pulled out a win over the Steelers on Thursday Night Football.
Joe always thought Njoku was solid. So Joe wondered if he would be a fit in Tampa? Hey, he used to catch passes from Baker Mayfield.
Njoku is 29. Uh, oh. Then, Joe looked at his numbers from last year. Otton had far better numbers except for touchdowns (Njoku had four to Otton’s one).
As so often happens with older veterans, the name is bigger than the numbers.
So, no, the answer for the Bucs at tight end does not lie at the feet of Njoku.
Tight end David Njoku, who is scheduled to be a free agent, announced that he will not return to the Browns in 2026. pic.twitter.com/fvlCJ29QnU
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 10, 2026
February 10th, 2026 at 3:50 am
Michael Trigg with the 2nd
STYLES/IOANE 1st then LB Lawson 3rd if we miss on Styles….thats where im at
February 10th, 2026 at 4:15 am
Why are so many trying to push Otten out the door? Two freak plays always seem to be brought up but that alone is not enough in my way of thinking. He has improved his blocking immensely and I give hm loads of credi for that. He stunk two years ago. He even makes blocks downfield. Godwin is the only other one I can think of who does that effectively. He catches the ball. He is an all around TE. Hard to find those. OCs do not like to sub TEs. It limits any surprises on offense. See Culps limited snaps. Can’t block. Grizz/Baker all but refused to target him in the red zone last year. Mystifying.
Go Bucs!
February 10th, 2026 at 6:12 am
Keep Otton. He’s great.
Joe, I don’t understand. All season we heard about how badly we need a edge rush, but all I’ve seen suggested for the first round are LB, RB, and TE.
I get the LB, but I do NOT get why any offense is being suggested for our first pick. The way I see it is that we MUST draft defense with 3 of our first 4 picks, and we need a first round edge rusher the most.
February 10th, 2026 at 6:24 am
Nope!
February 10th, 2026 at 6:26 am
I agree with Bonzai. Let us NOT! draft an RB or a TE early. I would rather them trade picks than take the best available offensive player. We need defenders.
February 10th, 2026 at 6:31 am
David Njoku Is Not The Answer For The Bucs At Tight End
Well….. while we are all at it,….. neither is Kellen Winslow, Jr.!!!
Also, why is Todd Bowles still the DC of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers!!!???!!!
SMH
February 10th, 2026 at 7:22 am
Big no for the hair, if no other reason
February 10th, 2026 at 8:03 am
Pits
February 10th, 2026 at 8:09 am
I still love how past tense makes it ok to spell out “shat.” I’ve sometimes used it as an adverb (s%!ttily). Maybe? Eh, eh? Perhaps pressing my luck with that version.
February 10th, 2026 at 8:23 am
Otten with a competent coach will be just fine as lomg as he doesnt break the bank and bring ko Kieft back, tight end shouldn’t be that hard to fill and is far down the list of priorities. Only priority should be defense. We all love mike but if he wants in fhe 25 million or so im sorry the defense needs that money.
February 10th, 2026 at 8:27 am
Would rather have Otten than Njoku. Otten had a couple of visible mistakes last year–who doesn’t–but he is otherwise a contributor and worth a look in the Zak Robinson offense.
February 10th, 2026 at 8:54 am
I disagree, njokus numbers being so low can be blamed very easy on the really poor qb play in Cleveland, I think bringing in one of Baker’s old teammates to solidify a crucial hole in our offense is important and a very good offseason move.
February 10th, 2026 at 8:55 am
Agree. No.
February 10th, 2026 at 9:42 am
Me thinks Otton done something to Joe. Declined an interview. Went out with his lady. Something. The guy had 2 turnovers. The Rams one was a bad bounce to a Rams defender that yes he should have caught. Joe thinks THAT lost the Rams game. They could have beat us 100-0 . The Detroit ball wasn’t a great throw by Baker and was arguably a bad call by the refs. Joe thinks Otton lost the Detroit game. Man, I gotta ask Cade what he did to Joe.
February 10th, 2026 at 9:48 am
Quite the opposite.
February 10th, 2026 at 9:49 am
Cade had a 74.9% win rate as blocker.
February 10th, 2026 at 9:56 am
If you are calling Otton “great” you may need to reset your standards.
February 10th, 2026 at 9:57 am
When you watch him, does he remind you even a little of Jimmie Giles?
Now *that* was a blocking tight end.
February 10th, 2026 at 10:38 am
otton is horrible – no more blue licht specials
JL can’t get fired fast enough.
February 10th, 2026 at 10:43 am
Absolutely do not draft a tight end in the first round
February 10th, 2026 at 10:43 am
Otton was OK he seemed to lack strength and speed which limited his YAC and led to his turnovers.
I am fine replacing Jim if the cost isn’t expensive.
February 10th, 2026 at 10:44 am
“When you watch him, does he remind you even a little of Jimmie Giles?
Now *that* was a blocking tight end.”
95% of those wins happened on plays that moved the chains.
I don’t need Jimmy Giles, I need a reasonably priced TE that won’t expect to be a focal point in the pass game without pulling his weight as a blocker.
Remember how BA used to roast Tanner Hudson? Could catch the ball, but couldn’t block to save his job or get one on special teams.
February 10th, 2026 at 11:09 am
It’s as easy as 1-2-3
(1) Re-sign Big Mike Evans and move him to TE with Godwin, Ebuka and McMillan in the 3 WWR slots.
(2) Bring in a blocking TE or an extra offensive lineman at TE on obvious running downs.
(3) Problem solved, plus a way to get all 4 top receivers on the field and create a 4 pronged coverage problem for opposing defenses to figure out.
February 10th, 2026 at 11:10 am
Interesting that the Bucs won the Super Bowl 🏈 in 2020 with Gronk, a Tightend, and integral component to the Bucs offense. Otton was used more as a blocking tightend last season and we all know that turned out.
If you looking for a tightend, than use him both as a receiver and blocker and not as a blocker which GRIZZARD did.
The problem was putting your trust in a passing coordinator who had no experience in calling plays. We all know how that turned out.
February 10th, 2026 at 11:15 am
Seriously you looked at the stats for last year 😑 Cade otten is a mediocre tight end njoku isn’t getting big money either but at least he had an 800 yard season. He’s not elite but he’s better than otten. Having said all that and growing up knowing the family name, Trigg in round 2 is a steal
February 10th, 2026 at 11:36 am
Otton is Brate 2.0.
But we need Gronk 2.0!
We need a TE 1 who can block!
I don’t want any TE who is just a big WR.
I want an old school TE like Gronk.
Otton should be re-signed as our #2 TE.
Kieft should not be resigned.
We need to get Mark Andrews.
February 10th, 2026 at 11:51 am
I’m sorry but Otton gets blown up and and put in his rear too much. He has shown he is good as a receiver but middling as a blocker. Both Cole Kmet and Michael Mayer have been rumored in the past to be on the trading block. My guess is that either could be had with at most a 4th round pick. In free agency we could go after Kyle Pitts which could help with the overall transition to the new OC too.
I actually wouldn’t mind the Bucs signing Pitts and trading a late round pick to acquire Mayer as well. With two solid TEs with Culp and Durham backing them up that would help with any offensive line struggles.
February 10th, 2026 at 11:52 am
TE?…really lol…
we need 2 OLs more than we need 1 TE!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
February 10th, 2026 at 11:52 am
I agree Teacherman and I also wouldn’t mind Mark Andrews but I don’t know if the Ravens are going to trade him after signing him to a new contract.
February 10th, 2026 at 12:43 pm
In 2033 Otten played like 99% of our offensive snaps. Look it up, incredible year. He’s come through these last two years, too. Saw him miss a few blocks and he had some bad luck on a couple of picks but you do all you can to keep Cade. He’ll have interest from other teams. It’s not a good idea letting one of your foundation players leave, especially when they are in their prime. I’d like to keep Rachaad and Dean also. Everyone looks at it different. But Otten is a football player.
February 10th, 2026 at 1:16 pm
The idea that Otton is a bad TE, is typical low IQ nonsense from the idiots in the cheap seats who have no idea what they’re watching. Otton is a decent lower tier starting TE, mainly limited by his blocking. As a pass catcher, Otton is more mid-tier.
With that said, Njoku is a better TE all around. Hard to take much from Njoku’s numbers last year since the QB situation in Cleveland is so bad. The issue is cost, I think Njoku would cost a decent amount more, and he’s aging – but he should still be productive for at least a couple of more years.
While I could certainly be wrong, I don’t think Otton is going to get any big money deals – I think he’ll be in the $7M range for salary, which, with an exploding cap isn’t all that expensive for a starting TE. If they did resign him, they should also draft someone who they think can start down the road. TE’s take a while to develop – the slowest position in the NFL in general, so you do not want to draft someone to start, that rarely works out well in their rookie year.
February 10th, 2026 at 1:42 pm
The old OC was terrible distributing the ball and getting TEs involved. I’d try to resign Otton plus sign Njoku. They don’t need a stats monster. Njoku didn’t get many thrown his way because the Browns had a very promising rookie, Fannin, with 72 catches.
February 10th, 2026 at 1:53 pm
Durable, B receiver, A- blocker, has been used poorly or ignored by OCs. Joe, I personally rather keep the bird in hand than go rummaging in the bush. I don’t think he’ll break the bank and the 2 backup have remained in the bush for a reason
February 10th, 2026 at 2:24 pm
Resign Cade. Use him properly. Rotate Durham and Culp using their respective strengths. Canales was just happy to have a job. Liam used them properly and more and they all 3 contributed. Griz was like a deer in the headlights. We dont need to spend a dime on this TE room other than resigning Cade with a fair raise. Payne, Devin still in rookies deals and Ko can be had cheap too. Spend all our money on Defense. Only 2 needed on offense are a swing OL and a backup QB.
February 10th, 2026 at 2:38 pm
Keep Otton. Down year but carried the team last year when Evans n Godwin went down. Coen used him properly and did good. Grizz JOES fall guy didn’t use him properly at all. There’s only one football to go around. Even if Evans doesn’t come back I really want him to but if he doesn’t we are stacked at WR hopefully Bucky the rook comes back and if that happens we are dam good on offense. Need depth pieces that’s really it. JOE don’t create a hole especially when it’s not necessary. Defense needs all the help it can get. Unless that TE is the BPA at the time the Bucs pick then no thank you
February 10th, 2026 at 9:37 pm
larrd Says:
I’d try to resign Otton plus sign Njoku.
————
I agree with this. I don’t think Otton is going to get a ton of money, and Njoku might get less than he should because he’s been stuck in bad offenses. So maybe $15M in total gets both – but again, with the cap exploding that number might end up being way off.
Durham I’m not at all impressed with – he’s so slow and he’s never developed into a great blocker either. And Culp basically a big WR – still worth keeping, but even in year 3 he seems like a developmental guy.
February 10th, 2026 at 10:00 pm
@munch – I like Cade better than NJoku. Don’t think we sign 2 TEs in the $8M range each. As for Durham and Culp, think way underutilized. Durham not the fastest but red zone skills all day . Remember when Canales and Liam did use him, made some great contested catches. Griz just never used him. He even had a 30’yarder down the seam. And Joe has stated he graded out higher than Cade in blocking .Culp has never been used the correct way. Never. Hopefully Robinson will use him.
February 10th, 2026 at 10:14 pm
BiBoi:
Culp is a threat down the seam/hashmarks, no question. Joe isn’t sure he’s much of a blocker, though. Perhaps one reason Culp didn’t get a lot of snaps was all the injuries up front and the Bucs couldn’t risk putting a guy on the field who would tip pitches due to his inability to block?
February 10th, 2026 at 10:46 pm
@joe, I was talking about you having mentioned Durham was a higher rated Blocker than Cade. Not Devin. And he had some contested catches in years 1 and 2 including a long seam route. Devin not a great blocker. Grossly underutilized though . I think we all agree Griz didn’t use that position well. Including Cade.
February 10th, 2026 at 10:51 pm
Big Boi:
Agree. Tight end was misused last year.
February 10th, 2026 at 10:56 pm
No one with a functioning brain would call Otton “great”.
Average? Sure.
Adequate? Sure if you have mediocre standards.
He’s an ok blocker who can be a weapon in the passing game when used right, but a game changer he is not.
February 11th, 2026 at 3:42 am
If baker is like Brady he will he get him here
February 11th, 2026 at 8:47 am
Again do you watch football? Crap QBs in Cleveland and a guy named Harold Fannin hurt Njokus stats, duh. Njoku has yac, speed, size and can find the end zone.
Outside Justin’s and Fannin who played well for the Browns O?
I’ll make it easy for us, Jake Tonges! Dude can play, 26 yo. He’s a RFA. Played very well in Kittles absence. He should be cheaper than No frills Cade.
February 11th, 2026 at 2:14 pm
Little is down. Tonges gets retained by SF
February 11th, 2026 at 3:35 pm
Njoku will be 30 years old, he has never had a thousand yard season, and he has been injured more than he hasn’t for the last few seasons. He is definitely not worth the money. Big NO for me.
February 11th, 2026 at 9:18 pm
I’d consider Joly from North Carolina St.