ARIZONA CARDINALS

PFF: Cardinals among 4 most sensible landing spots for TE David Njoku

Jul 18, 2020, 6:47 AM | Updated: 7:38 pm

David Njoku #85 of the Cleveland Browns runs after a catch during a game against the Tampa Bay Bucc...

David Njoku #85 of the Cleveland Browns runs after a catch during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

The Arizona Cardinals are one of the four teams that make the most sense as a destination for tight end David Njoku, according to Pro Football Focus.

Njoku, a 24-year-old on the Cleveland Browns, was a first-round pick out of Miami in 2017. But he’s recently requested a trade from the team that selected him, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The Cardinals were included on PFF’s list alongside the rest of the clubs “that make the most sense as landing spots for Njoku to continue to develop.” The other three teams were the Carolina Panthers, Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots.

Part of the logic for PFF choosing Arizona was the perceived lack of a threat in the tight end group:

Maxx Williams is the presumptive starter as of now, but he is known more for his blocking (84.7 run-blocking grade last season) than he is his proficiency as a receiver. His 202 receiving yards in 2019 were the most in a season in his five-year career. The receiving trio of Hopkins, Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk is a good start at surrounding Kyler Murray with talent. Bringing in Njoku to start at tight end would give them another way to threaten defenses.

While it’s true that the Cardinals don’t boast star power from their tight end position, Williams and Dan Arnold both return to Kliff Kingsbury’s offense and have familiarity with second-year quaterback Kyler Murray. Arnold, who only appeared in three games for Arizona last year, made six catches on 10 targets for 102 yards.

Njoku, meanwhile, has played 36 NFL games across three seasons, getting in only four last year because of an injury. He had 639 receiving yards the year before, which is almost as many as Williams has had in his whole career (699 in five seasons).

Arizona also has Darrell Daniels at tight end, along with former Chargers wide receiver Dylan Cantrell, who is listed now as a tight end.

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PFF: Cardinals among 4 most sensible landing spots for TE David Njoku