The Cleveland Browns will be hoping the team they built during the offseason has what it takes to stand atop a cutthroat AFC North that’s chock full of competitive teams from top to bottom. Every team in the division has a great QB and a team full of playmakers who can bring the hurt to their opponents.
The Browns have a decent QB in Deshaun Watson, but he’s not lived up to the massive contract he signed due to injury. With the Clemson product’s contract eating $63 million of the team’s salary cap for 2024, the fans will be hoping that he finally lives up to his reputation.
However, it takes more than just a great QB to lead a team to the Super Bowl. The playmakers are just as vital for the team’s hopes of making it. While the Browns have plenty of players who can contribute, one analyst thinks one specific player will be especially important for the team’s success this season.
Analyst points to David Njoku being the second-most important player for the Cleveland Browns in 2024
Pete Smith of 247Sports explains that while everyone in the Cleveland Browns roster are important to the team’s success, there’s literally no one who can do what Davic Njokus is doing over the past couple of seasons:
If Njoku goes down, the Browns don’t have a full service tight end. A true Y. Yes, the Browns have Jordan Akins who can play a role, but he’s not someone who can play inline. He needs to play as a wing or in space as an F. If Njoku gets hurt, the Browns would lean into their wide receivers and running backs. They are already signaling more spread looks with Njoku. They’d lean even further into that without him.
Njoku was a solid target for Watson and Joe Flacco last season. In 2023, he caught 81 passes for 882 yards and six touchdowns. Fans can expect the number to be similar for 2024 if he manages to keep himself healthy for the grueling NFL season.
The Dawg Pound will be hoping that nothing untoward happens to their only solid TE because they will be without one of their greatest weapons otherwise.
