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It will cost the Cleveland Browns if they don't keep free-agent tight end David Njoku.
According to Jeremy Fowler, the AFC North team has a significant contract on the table for Njoku, and execs have predicted to me that he will get north of $10 million per year on a deal. All of this is why the Browns could franchise-tag him.
The tight end position is where Cleveland wants to use multiple players in its offense, despite the fact that Austin Hooper has a $11.25 million cap hit for the upcoming season.
The results have been mixed for Njoku, who was selected with a first-round pick by the Browns.
In his second season, he had 56 catches for 639 yards and four touchdown, but he has never topped those totals in his career.
He was limited to just four games in the year because of injuries, but he still had 19 catches for 213 yards and two touchdown. The Miami product was better this past season with 36 catches for 475 yards and four touchdown, but the game-changing plays many envisioned have yet to consistently occur.
The presence of other players such as Nick Chubb, and the presence of Odell Beckham Jr. in the offense figured to free him up at times.
He is just 25 years old and has plenty of potential.
He is expected to make more than $10 million a year as he approaches free agency, and the Browns want to make sure he doesn't reach his full potential somewhere else.
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