Cory Kinnan
July 2, 2024 8:54 am ET
There are few players in the NFL with better development stories than tight end David Njoku of the Cleveland Browns.
Selected in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, one of three first round picks that year (with defensive end Myles Garrett and safety Jabrill Peppers), Njoku has had a roller coaster of a career in Cleveland. From an explosive sophom*ore season where he was a top 10 tight end in terms of production, to slipping into the doghouse just a year later, to requesting a trade in 2020, to developing into one of the premiere tight ends in the NFL, the Browns and Njoku have stuck by each other through it all.
And it has paid off for both parties as the ultra-athletic tight end now enters year eight of his NFL career (at still just 28 years old this month!) fresh off of his first Pro Bowl appearance. The Browns extended Njoku after the 2021 season as well, showing a sign of good faith toward his development after he quietly out-produced Austin Hooper despite being slotted behind him on the depth chart.
Now, that contract looks like a bargain.
Here is where Njoku falls among the top 15 highest-paid tight ends in the NFL right now on an average per-year basis.
All numbers come from Over the Cap
An offer for Browns fans
For the best local news, sports, entertainment and culture coverage, subscribe to the Akron Beacon Journal.
1
Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs: $17.125m APY
(Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports)
2
T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings: $16.5 APY
Dec 24, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) warms up before the game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
3
George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers: $15m APY
Feb 2, 2020; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) during Super Bowl LIV against the Kansas City Chiefs at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
4
Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles: $14m APY
Nov 22, 2020; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (88) runs with the ball after a catch as Cleveland Browns strong safety Ronnie Harrison (33) defends during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
5
Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens: $14m APY
Oct 1, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (89) celebrates with quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) after catching a touchdown during the second half against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
6
Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars: $13.75m APY
Dec 10, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) catches a pass as Cleveland Browns safety Grant Delpit (22) defends during the first half at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
7
David Njoku, Cleveland Browns: $13.688m APY
HOUSTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 24: David Njoku #85 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after scoring a touchdown reception against the Houston Texans during the second quarterat NRG Stadium on December 24, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
8
Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears: $12.5m APY
Dec 17, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (85) goes up for a Hail Mary against Cleveland Browns safety Duron Harmon (30) and cornerback Denzel Ward (21) and cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) and linebacker Sione Takitaki (44) during the first half at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
9
Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans: $12m APY
Dec 24, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz (86) makes a reception as Cleveland Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) defends during the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
10
Noah Fant, Seattle Seahawks: $10.5m APY
Oct 29, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Cleveland Browns linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (5) tackles Seattle Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (87) at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
11
Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints: $10m APY
Nov 27, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill (7) runs past San Francisco 49ers linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (51) in the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
12
Dawson Knox, Buffalo Bills: $9.833m APY
Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt (57) tackles Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox (88) in the fourth quarter during an NFL divisional playoff football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023, at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y.
Cincinnati Bengals At Buffalo Bills Afc Divisional Jan 22 1397
13
Hunter Henry, New England Patriots: $9m APY
Dec 17, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (85) makes a catch for a touchdown during the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
14
Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams: $8.5m APY
Jan 14, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) breaks up a catch attempt by Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee (89) during the second half of a 2024 NFC wild card game at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports
15
Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons: 8.228m APY
Dec 24, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) catches a touchdown pass against the Indianapolis Colts during the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
