Summary

David Njoku was drafted in the 2017 NFL Draft, Round 1, (pick 29) out of University of Miami. Njoku is a high-ceiling tight end whose calling card is his rare combination of size, speed, and receiving ability. He has developed into a significant receiving weapon in the NFL—capable of stretching the seam, winning jump balls, and contributing in the red zone. His versatility in alignment allows his team to deploy him in multiple ways, making him a mismatch piece for defenses.

However, his profile is not without caveats. While blocking has improved, it remains less of a standout than his receiving traits, which means in schemes that demand dominant blocking from tight ends his value might be somewhat limited. Similarly, his route-running refinement and consistency have been areas for growth, especially to unlock an elite tier tight end status. In short: Njoku is a very good to potentially great tight end, perhaps one of the better receiving TEs in the league, but perhaps not yet fully “complete” across all tight end roles.

Strengths

• Elite receiving tight-end skills: Njoku combines rare size with speed and body control for his position. Early scouting noted him as a “supreme receiving tight end … mismatch nightmare.”

• Big-play ability & yardage after catch: He has shown the ability to win downfield and turn catches into chunks—“explosive off the snap … big YAC guy” was part of his pre-draft evaluation. Mile High Report

• Versatility in alignment: He can line up inline, flexed out, or in the slot/h-back role, which gives offenses flexibility and makes him harder to cover.

• Improving blocker & all-around tight end role: While receiving is his standout, recent seasons show him taking on more blocking duties and being more of a three-down asset. For example, he has become a more consistent target and red-zone threat. PFSN

Weaknesses

• Blocking still below elite standard: Though improved, his early scouting flagged blocking as a significant area of needed growth: “not a very good blocker … more of a receiving tight end” was noted. SI

• Route-running nuance & experience concerns: His route tree and technical refinement were noted as still developing—“needs to improve route-running … somewhat raw.”

• Durability/injury risk & role ceiling: While the athletic traits are there, there have been seasons where availability or usage fluctuated, which can limit a tight end’s full breakout. And because his elite traits are more skewed toward receiving than blocking, some see his ultimate ceiling as somewhat reliant on scheme and role. NFL Mocks

Fit & Outlook

• Fit:
  Njoku fits best in an offense that:

• leverages the tight end as a significant receiving weapon—especially in seams, vertical concepts, mismatch downfield;

• allows him to flex or move out wide rather than locking him strictly into heavy inline blocking;

• uses him in a red-zone/third-down capacity where his body control, catch radius and athleticism give big upside.

• Outlook:

• Short-Term: Expect Njoku to continue as a primary receiving option at tight end, with solid volume and red-zone targets. Articles suggest he now ranks among the more consistent tight ends in terms of catches per game. PFSN

• Medium-Term: If his blocking continues to improve and his route-running becomes more refined, he could settle into the upper echelon of tight ends in the league—a consistent TE1 who is a key part of his team’s passing attack.