The New Orleans Saints have a few puzzle pieces to figure out this offseason, and one of them quietly - but crucially - is the tight end position. While it hasn’t been the flashiest need on the roster, it’s one that could use a serious upgrade. Enter David Njoku.
After posting what looked like a farewell message to the Cleveland Browns on Instagram, Njoku could be on the move - and the Saints should be paying close attention. He checks a lot of boxes for a team that’s been searching for consistency and playmaking ability at tight end.
The Saints' Tight End Room: Thin and Uncertain
Let’s start with the current state of the Saints’ tight end group. Juwan Johnson is coming off a career year and has shown flashes of being a reliable target, but behind him, it’s murky.
Taysom Hill has filled in as a Swiss Army knife - part tight end, part quarterback, part whatever - but with his future in football uncertain, the Saints can’t count on him to be a weekly contributor at tight end. Then there’s Foster Moreau, who’s struggled to stay healthy, and two young, unproven players in Moliki Matavao and Treyton Welch.
That’s not a group you want to head into the season with if you’re serious about contending. Njoku, with nine seasons under his belt and a Pro Bowl nod in 2023, brings the kind of experience and production this unit lacks. He’s not just a veteran presence - he’s a legitimate difference-maker.
What Njoku Brings to the Table
In Cleveland, Njoku quietly put together a solid resume: over 4,000 receiving yards and 34 touchdowns. That’s more than the rest of the Saints’ tight end room combined. And beyond the raw numbers, it’s how he gets them that matters.
The Saints have been missing a physical, reliable target who can win in traffic - basically, someone who can do the things Michael Thomas used to do before injuries derailed his career. It’s been three years since Thomas last suited up, and the void he left behind has never truly been filled.
Njoku might not be a wide receiver, but he brings that same contested-catch ability to the middle of the field. In 2025, he posted a 66.7% contested catch rate - fourth-best in the league.
That’s not even his career high; back in 2020, he led the league at 77%. He’s not just a big body - he’s a big body who knows how to use leverage, positioning, and timing to come down with the ball in tight coverage.
That skill set becomes even more valuable when you consider the Saints’ current offensive makeup. Chris Olave had a career-high 156 targets this past season, and while he’s clearly the WR1, he’s not built to be a jump-ball specialist.
He’s a technician - smooth, fast, and precise - but he’s not going to outmuscle defenders on 50-50 balls. That’s where someone like Njoku can step in and take pressure off Olave, especially in red zone and third-down situations.
The Financial Fit
According to Spotrac, Njoku’s projected market value sits around $19.98 million over two years - a figure that’s well within the Saints’ projected offseason budget. Sure, it would be a significant investment, but not an unreasonable one. In fact, he’d likely be the team’s marquee signing of the offseason.
And honestly, that wouldn’t be a bad thing. The Saints don’t just need bodies - they need playmakers.
They need someone who can create mismatches, stretch the seam, and be a reliable target when the offense stalls. Njoku brings all of that, and he brings it with a proven track record.
Why This Move Makes Sense
The Saints are in a bit of a transitional phase. They’re not blowing it up and starting over, but they’re not exactly in win-now mode either.
They’re trying to thread the needle - stay competitive while building something sustainable. Signing a player like Njoku fits that approach.
He’s still in his prime, he fills a clear need, and he complements the pieces already in place.
And let’s not forget: this is a team that has always found ways to get creative with its tight ends. From Jimmy Graham to Taysom Hill, the Saints have a history of maximizing talent at the position. Njoku could be the next in line - a player who not only fits the scheme but elevates it.
Bottom line: if David Njoku is truly on the market, the Saints should be making calls. Because while tight end might not be the most obvious need on paper, it’s one that could quietly unlock a lot of potential in New Orleans’ offense.