Scores first touchdown Sunday

Njoku caught seven passes (12 targets) for 55 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 38-14 loss to the Chargers.

Analysis: Njoku was able to find the end zone for the first time in 2018 when he went up and caught an underthrown ball on a fade route from Baker Mayfield in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game. This could be a sign of big things to come for the second-year tight end, as not only did Mayfield target him in the red zone again, but his 22 targets over the past two games leads the team. Njoku and Mayfield will look to continue their rapport next Sunday against Tampa Bay.

Leads team in targets

Njoku caught six of 11 targets for 69 yards during Sunday's 12-9 overtime win against the Ravens.

Analysis: Njoku's team-high 11 targets also marked a career high for the second-year tight end, as quarterback Baker Mayfield constantly looked his way Sunday. Njoku's increase in targets could lead to more touchdowns, as Njoku has yet score this season after finding the end zone four times as a rookie in limited playing time in 2017. The second-year pro will look to continue his rapport with Mayfield next Sunday against the Chargers.

Five catches against Raiders

Njoku caught five of seven targets for 52 yards during Sunday's 45-42 loss to the Raiders.

Analysis: It's no surprise Njoku had his best game of the season during Baker Mayfield's first career start. Mayfield is capable of opening up the passing game significantly more than Tyrod Taylor (back), and that clearly aided Njoku, who posted season highs in receptions and yards. The second-year tight end will look to keep it going Sunday against the Ravens.

Only two targets Thursday

Njoku caught both of his targets for 36 yards during Thursday's 21-17 victory over the Jets.

Analysis: Both of Njoku's receptions came from Baker Mayfield, though with just one catch in the second half, he wasn't as involved in the offense as fantasy owners would have liked. However, if Mayfield is in fact the starting quarterback moving forward, his gun-slinging ways and ability to throw the ball downfield should help Njoku's value, and the tight end could very well see a considerable uptick in targets.

Four receptions Sunday

Njoku hauled in four of seven targets for 20 yards in Sunday's 21-18 loss to the Saints.

Analysis: Njoku was targeted seven times for the second consecutive week, though the tight end again failed to do much with his plethora of looks. His longest catch went for eight yards and he seems to be just a short-yardage option, despite his athletic ability to get down the field. More targets could be coming Njoku's way to make up for Josh Gordon's (hamstring) absence.

Logs heavy snap count

Njoku played 78 of 89 snaps (87.7 percent) in Sunday's 21-21 tie with Pittsburgh, catching three of seven targets for 13 yards.

Analysis: Njoku limped off the field with an undisclosed injury at one point in the third quarter, but he made it back into the game and ultimately fell just shy of a 90 percent snap share. While the wealth of playing time was an encouraging sign, Njoku's struggles with holding onto the ball resurfaced as he dropped two of his seven targets in Sunday's game, per ESPN.com's Pat McManamon. Despite the unimpressive performance, Njoku should get another shot at an every-down role in a Week 2 road game…read more

Exits with injury

Njoku departed Sunday's game against the Steelers in the third quarter with an undisclosed injury, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

Analysis: It's unclear what's afflicting Njoku, but he was at least able to walk off the field under his own power. The Browns should provide an update on Njoku's condition after the game if he fails to check back into the contest for the team's subsequent offensive drives.

Back in business

Njoku (ankle) was back at practice Sunday after missing Saturday's session, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Analysis: The 29th overall pick from the 2017 NFL Draft is in a good position to easily eclipse his rookie-year numbers -- 32 catches for 386 yards and four TDs. It helps that the Browns should enjoy a higher level of QB play this season, with Tyrod Taylor set to start and top overall pick Baker Mayfield waiting in the wings. At 6-foot-4, 246 pounds, Njoku possesses the size and athleticism to be a difference-maker in an improved Cleveland attack that will also funnel targets to wideouts Jarvis Landry…read more

Catches all four targets

Njoku hauled in all four of his targets for 25 yards during Thursday's preseason 5-0 win over the Eagles.

Analysis: Njoku was able to get back into the box score after being held without a reception in the team's second preseason game last week. The second-year tight end has shown good chemistry with both Tyrod Taylor (wrist) and Baker Mayfield in training camp and preseason game action, and there should be little that holds him back from breaking out in 2018, especially if he secures an every-down role.

Held without a catch

Njoku was unable to corral his lone target in Friday's preseason game against Buffalo.

Analysis: Reportedly plagued by drops throughout training camp, Njoku responded with 46 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the first week of the preseason. He had a six-yard catch wiped out by a penalty on the opening drive Friday, but he was otherwise awfully quiet despite playing 26 snaps. To be fair, the Browns had an 18:9 rush:pass ratio in the first half, with Tyrod Taylor and Baker Mayfield combining for six completions and 22 passing yards. Njoku should get more opportunities in the third week of…read more

Scores twice in preseason opener

Njoku caught two of his three targets for 46 yards and a pair of touchdowns in Thursday's 20-10 win over the Giants to open the preseason.

Analysis: There have been rumors of Njoku struggling with drops in camp, but he had no problem holding on to a 36-yard touchdown pass from Tyrod Taylor on Cleveland's second possession. The athletic tight end found the end zone again two possessions later, this time on a 10-yard pass from Baker Mayfield. Njoku's prospective fantasy owners have to be ecstatic with this performance, especially since he showed a rapport with both of the team's potential starters at quarterback.

Still dropping passes

Njoku continues to struggle with drops early on during training camp, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Analysis: This has been a consistent theme for Njoku during the first week ofcamp, following a rookie campaign in which he was officially credited with three drops on 60 targets but also let a few other catchable passes slip away. The Browns would like to see him seize an every-down role as their No. 1 tight end, but Njoku probably doesn't offer enough impact as a blocker to make up for the inconsistency with his hands. While it sounds like his freakish athleticism hasn't outweighed his shortcomings,…read more

Struggles with drops Sunday

Njoku dropped four passes during Sunday's practice, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Analysis: It's been a rough start to training camp for the second-year tight end. Njoku -- who dropped three passes during his rookie season -- is expected to take the bulk of the team's snaps at tight end after sharing the position with Seth DeValve (thigh) in 2017, though that could change if his hands become a constant issue. Njoku dropped a total of eight balls during his last two seasons of college for a 11 percent drop rate, so his problem securing the ball is nothing new, and it's something to…read more

The Browns are expected to transition second-year tight end Njoku into a full-time starting role this season, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Analysis: As a rookie in 2017, Njoku earned five starts versus 14 for Randall Telfer and four for Seth DeValve. The current TE room only has two experienced options -- DeValve and free-agent pickup Darren Fells -- so the Browns' plan to elevate Njoku's workload appears as if it'll come to fruition. Considering the upgrades at quarterback (Tyrod Taylor and 2018 first overall pick Baker Mayfield) and the skill positions (Jarvis Landry, Carlos Hyde and Nick Chubb) this offseason, Njoku should have a better…read more

Njoku, who caught two passes for 38 yards during Sunday's 28-24 loss to the Steelers, finishes his rookie season with 32 catches for 386 yards and four touchdowns.

Analysis: Njoku and fellow tight end Seth DeValve spent much of the year splitting offensive snaps, yet Njoku showed numerous flashes that he is capable of being Cleveland's No. 1 tight end in 2018. He led the team with four touchdowns and was just one reception shy of tying for the second most. The rookie has a bright future, and his outlook will only improve if the Browns improve their offense this offseason.

Njoku was held without a catch on three targets during Sunday's 27-10 loss to the Ravens.

Analysis: For the first time in his NFL career, Njoku finished a game without at least one reception, ending a remarkable streak of 13 consecutive matchups with a catch. The rookie tight end out of Miami has been quiet during the last two weeks, with just one reception on five targets. Josh Gordon's presence has eaten into Njoku's targets, but because Cleveland is usually playing from behind, there still should be plenty of opportunities for the 21-year-old to finish the season strong.

Njoku (foot/wrist) practiced fully Friday and doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Ravens.

Analysis: Neither injury looks like it will inhibit Njoku in Week 15, but his inconsistent production in recent games will make him a high-variance fantasy play at tight end. After turning in back-to-back four-catch outings in Weeks 12 and 13, Njoku failed to make an impact in the Browns' loss to the Packers last Sunday, hauling in just one of two targets for three yards.

Njoku was limited at practice Wednesday with foot and wrist injuries, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Analysis: After recording a career-high 74 receiving yards and a touchdown in Week 13 against the Chargers, Njoku had a disappointing follow-up effort in Sunday's overtime loss to the Packers, hauling in just one reception for three yards. It appears he may have gotten nicked up in the contest as well, though neither injury is believed to be anything overly significant. Njoku is officially listed as third on the Browns' depth chart at tight end, but he and Seth DeValve are the clear top pass-catching…read more

Njoku finished with one reception (two targets) for three yards during Sunday's 27-21 overtime loss to the Packers.

Analysis: Coming off a career game in Week 13, the rookie tight end earned nine more offensive snaps than Seth DeValve, though his stat sheet failed to reflect that. DeShone Kizer failed to involve Njoku in the offense, as most of his time was spent slinging the ball to Josh Gordon and Corey Coleman. Njoku has put together an impressive rookie campaign with four touchdowns, but until he gets more involved in the offense, his value as a fantasy player has its limits.

Njoku caught four of six targets for 74 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 19-10 loss to the Chargers.

Analysis: A week after bringing in a career-high four catches, the rookie tight end duplicated that and set a new career high in receiving yards. Njoku also ended his six-week touchdown drought when he caught his fourth score of the season -- the most ever for a Browns' rookie tight end. He'll look to continue his hot streak next week versus the Packers.

Njoku caught all four of his targets for 47 yards during Sunday's 30-16 loss to the Bengals.

Analysis: After three disappointing weeks in a row, Njoku broke out, in a way, and finished with the most receptions in a game during his short career. His 47 receiving yards trumped his total from the past three games combined, as the rookie tight end and DeShone Kizer were on the same page against Cincinnati's defense. The 21-year-old still hasn't scored since Week 5, but this game only bodes well for his usage and opportunities going forward.

Njoku played just 21 of the team's 55 offensive snaps and finished with one catch (one target) for 13 yards during Sunday's 19-7 loss to the Jaguars.

Analysis: Over Njoku's last two games, the rookie tight end has only been able to haul in two catches for 16 yards, as Seth DeValve continues to get most of the playing time in coach Hue Jackson's offense. Njoku's one target Sunday was his lowest total of the season, and he hasn't been able to find the end zone since Oct. 8. The 21-year-old has 20 receptions for 211 yards and three touchdowns this season.