The Jacksonville Jaguars don’t need TE David Njoku

The Jacksonville Jaguars already have a crowded tight end room before the idea of trading for Cleveland’s David Njoku can be discussed.

Just as it has been written by many publications about he Jacksonville Jaguars needing to sign a veteran quarterback to lead the team instead of Gardner Minshew, it appears tight end David Njoku’s name is going to surface in connection with the AFC South team now that the veteran has asked for a trade from the Cleveland Browns.

It’s a storyline we at Black and Teal have followed and written about as well. Njoku’s talent would be another component of a new Jaguars offense, but given the state of the tight end room and how the offensive roster looks now, is this a move the team should make?

I believe there is enough talent at the tight end position right now that a trade isn’t warranted unless the Browns can make a Jaguars general manager David Caldwell an offer he cannot refuse.

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Cue the music to the Godfather, please.

While ESPN’s Field Yates floated a trade offer idea a couple of weeks ago involving both Njoku and Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, there has been little traction with that kind of scenario. The pass rusher wants out of Jacksonville – as been discussed many times – but there appear to be no takers. The Browns could certainly use help with their pass rush however this is a deal that does not seem to fit the Jaguars plans for this season or the future.

And with Njoku being injured as season, only playing four games, Jacksonville would be taking on more risk than reward.

"Per Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz of USA Today, “Njoku, who turns 24 next Friday (July10), was the No. 29 overall pick out of Miami in the 2017 NFL draft. He had 56 catches for 639 yards and four touchdowns in 2018, but he played in just four games last season after being sidelined by a wrist injury. He was a healthy scratch, however, in Weeks 15 and 16.”"

The Jacksonville Jaguars gambled a bit this offseason by signing former Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert to a deal. Eifert is familiar with the offense run by Jay Gruden, but he himself has had an injury-riddled career. He did play in all 16 games last season, which is a plus for the team’s new-look passing game.

Tight ends have not been able to stay healthy here in Jacksonville the previous two seasons. Plus, there are other areas of concern on this roster that still need attention. Looking at a room with Eifert, James O’Shaughnessy and Josh Oliver depth might be much better this coming season. The Jaguars also added Tyler Davis out of Georgia Tech in the NFL Draft in April.