David Njoku

Cleveland Browns, Tight End

Age: 29y-8m-0d (Jul 10, 1996)

Exp: 8 Years

Country: US

College: Miami (FL)

Drafted: Round 1 (#29 overall), 2017

Agent(s): Malki Kawa, Ethan Lock (First Round Management)

2026 Cap Hit

$9,534,000

2026 Cash

Career Earnings

$70,161,063

2022-2025 Franchise Tag Extension

David Njoku signed a 4 year, $54,750,000 contract with the Cleveland Browns, including $11,465,000 signing bonus, $28,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $13,687,500. In 2026, Njoku will earn, while carrying a cap hit of $9,534,000 and a dead cap value of $24,331,000.

Contract Terms:

4 yr(s) / $54,750,000

Average Salary:

$13,687,500

Signing Bonus:

$11,465,000

GTD at Sign:

$17,000,000

Total GTD:

$28,000,000

Free Agent:

2026 / UFA

MANAGE CONTRACT

Year	Age	Status	Cap HitAnnual	Cap % League Cap	Cash Annual	Cash Cumulative	Dead Cap Annual
2022	26		$3,328,000	1.60%	$12,500,000	$12,500,000	$25,000,000
2023	27		$5,657,000	2.52%	$12,500,000	$25,000,000	$24,175,000
2024	28		$9,645,000	3.78%	$14,569,213	$39,569,213	$30,805,000
2025	29		$11,494,882	4.12%	$14,955,882	$54,525,095	$33,865,000
2026	30	Void UFA	$9,534,000	3.17%	-	$54,525,095	$24,331,000
2027		Void	$14,797,000	4.58%	-	$54,525,095	$14,797,000
2028		Void	-	-	-	$54,525,095	$2,358,000
2029		Void	-	-	-	$54,525,095	-

Year	Age	Status	Base P5 Salary	Signing Proration	Restructure Proration	Active/GM Roster Bonus	Option Proration	Cap Hit	Cap % League	Dead Cap
2022	26		$1,035,000	$2,293,000	-	-	-	$3,328,000	1.60%	$25,000,000
2023	27		$1,080,000	$2,293,000	$684,000	-	$1,600,000	$5,657,000	2.52%	$24,175,000
2024	28		$1,210,000	$2,293,000	$684,000	$1,500,000	$3,958,000	$9,645,000	3.78%	$30,805,000
2025	29		$1,255,000	$2,293,000	$684,000	$705,882	$6,557,000	$11,494,882	4.12%	$33,865,000
2026	30	Void UFA	-	$2,293,000	$684,000	-	$6,557,000	$9,534,000	3.17%	$24,331,000	2026 Release/Trade PRE-6/1 RELEASE Today → 03/13/2026 2026 Dead Cap: $24,331,000 2026 Cap Savings: $-14,797,000 03/13/2026 → 06/01/2026 2026 Dead Cap: $99,331,000 2026 Cap Savings: $-89,797,000 PRE-6/1 TRADE 2026 Dead Cap: $24,331,000 2026 Savings: $-14,797,000 What is a Pre-6/1 Release or Trade? When a player is released or traded before June 1st, all of the dead cap remaining on his contract (including any guaranteed salary) accelerates into the current year. JUNE 1ST DESIGNATION 2026 Dead Cap: $9,534,000 2027 Dead Cap: $14,797,000 2026 Savings: $0 What is a June 1st Designation? When a player is designated as a Post June 1st release, their full cap hit must remain on the books until 6/1, after which the dead cap is split across the current and following season. The player becomes a free agent immediately however. POST-6/1 RELEASE 2026 Dead Cap: $9,534,000 2027 Dead Cap: $14,797,000 2026 Savings: $0 POST-6/1 TRADE 2026 Dead Cap: $9,534,000 2027 Dead Cap: $14,797,000 2026 Savings: $0 What is a Post-6/1 Release or Trade? When a release or trade is processed after June 1st (including a Post June 1st Designation transaction), the remaining dead cap on the contract is allowed to split across the current year & the following year. Dead cap that is directly associated with the current year plus all future guaranteed salary remains as current year dead cap, while the remaining future year dead cap is allocated to the following season.
2027		Void	-	-	$684,000	-	$6,557,000	$14,797,000	4.58%	$14,797,000	2027 Release/Trade PRE-6/1 RELEASE Today → 03/13/2026 2027 Dead Cap: $14,797,000 2027 Cap Savings: $0 03/13/2026 → 06/01/2027 2027 Dead Cap: $89,797,000 2027 Cap Savings: $-75,000,000 PRE-6/1 TRADE 2027 Dead Cap: $14,797,000 2027 Savings: $0 What is a Pre-6/1 Release or Trade? When a player is released or traded before June 1st, all of the dead cap remaining on his contract (including any guaranteed salary) accelerates into the current year. JUNE 1ST DESIGNATION 2027 Dead Cap: $0 2028 Dead Cap: $14,797,000 2027 Savings: $14,797,000 What is a June 1st Designation? When a player is designated as a Post June 1st release, their full cap hit must remain on the books until 6/1, after which the dead cap is split across the current and following season. The player becomes a free agent immediately however. POST-6/1 RELEASE 2027 Dead Cap: $0 2028 Dead Cap: $14,797,000 2027 Savings: $14,797,000 POST-6/1 TRADE 2027 Dead Cap: $0 2028 Dead Cap: $14,797,000 2027 Savings: $14,797,000 What is a Post-6/1 Release or Trade? When a release or trade is processed after June 1st (including a Post June 1st Designation transaction), the remaining dead cap on the contract is allowed to split across the current year & the following year. Dead cap that is directly associated with the current year plus all future guaranteed salary remains as current year dead cap, while the remaining future year dead cap is allocated to the following season.
2028		Void	-	-	-	-	$4,957,000	-	-	$2,358,000	2028 Release/Trade PRE-6/1 RELEASE Today → 03/13/2026 2028 Dead Cap: $2,358,000 2028 Cap Savings: $-2,358,000 03/13/2026 → 06/01/2028 2028 Dead Cap: $77,358,000 2028 Cap Savings: $-77,358,000 PRE-6/1 TRADE 2028 Dead Cap: $2,358,000 2028 Savings: $-2,358,000 What is a Pre-6/1 Release or Trade? When a player is released or traded before June 1st, all of the dead cap remaining on his contract (including any guaranteed salary) accelerates into the current year. JUNE 1ST DESIGNATION 2028 Dead Cap: $0 2029 Dead Cap: $2,358,000 2028 Savings: $0 What is a June 1st Designation? When a player is designated as a Post June 1st release, their full cap hit must remain on the books until 6/1, after which the dead cap is split across the current and following season. The player becomes a free agent immediately however. POST-6/1 RELEASE 2028 Dead Cap: $0 2029 Dead Cap: $2,358,000 2028 Savings: $0 POST-6/1 TRADE 2028 Dead Cap: $0 2029 Dead Cap: $2,358,000 2028 Savings: $0 What is a Post-6/1 Release or Trade? When a release or trade is processed after June 1st (including a Post June 1st Designation transaction), the remaining dead cap on the contract is allowed to split across the current year & the following year. Dead cap that is directly associated with the current year plus all future guaranteed salary remains as current year dead cap, while the remaining future year dead cap is allocated to the following season.
2029		Void	-	-	-	-	$2,599,000	-	-	-	2029 Release/Trade PRE-6/1 RELEASE 2029 Dead Cap: $0 2029 Savings: $0 PRE-6/1 TRADE 2029 Dead Cap: $0 2029 Savings: $0 What is a Pre-6/1 Release or Trade? When a player is released or traded before June 1st, all of the dead cap remaining on his contract (including any guaranteed salary) accelerates into the current year. JUNE 1ST DESIGNATION 2029 Dead Cap: $0 2030 Dead Cap: $0 2029 Savings: $0 What is a June 1st Designation? When a player is designated as a Post June 1st release, their full cap hit must remain on the books until 6/1, after which the dead cap is split across the current and following season. The player becomes a free agent immediately however. POST-6/1 RELEASE 2029 Dead Cap: $0 2030 Dead Cap: $0 2029 Savings: $0 POST-6/1 TRADE 2029 Dead Cap: $0 2030 Dead Cap: $0 2029 Savings: $0 What is a Post-6/1 Release or Trade? When a release or trade is processed after June 1st (including a Post June 1st Designation transaction), the remaining dead cap on the contract is allowed to split across the current year & the following year. Dead cap that is directly associated with the current year plus all future guaranteed salary remains as current year dead cap, while the remaining future year dead cap is allocated to the following season.

Year	Age	Status	Base P5 Salary	Signing Bonus	Restructure Bonus	Active/Gm Roster Bonus	Option Bonus	Cash Total	Cash Cumulative	Cash Remaining
2022	26		$1,035,000	$11,465,000	-	-	-	$12,500,000	$12,500,000	$54,525,095
2023	27		$1,080,000	-	$3,420,000	-	$8,000,000	$12,500,000	$25,000,000	$42,025,095
2024	28		$1,210,000	-	-	$1,500,000	$11,790,000	$14,569,213	$39,569,213	$29,525,095
2025	29		$1,255,000	-	-	$705,882	$12,995,000	$14,955,882	$54,525,095	$14,955,882
2026	30	Void	-	-	-	-	-	-	$54,525,095	-
2027	31	Void	-	-	-	-	-	-	$54,525,095	-
2028	32	Void	-	-	-	-	-	-	$54,525,095	-
2029	33	Void	-	-	-	-	-	-	$54,525,095	-

Contract Notes

$17M guaranteed at signing (signing bonus + 2022 salary + 2023 salary)
2023 Option Bonus: $8M (fully guarantees 3/17/2023, injury guaranteed at signing)
$3M of 2024 salary fully guarantees 3/17/2023, injury guaranteed at signing)
2024 Option Bonus: $11.79M (3/19/2024)
2024 Per Game Active Bonus: $88,235 ($1.5M)
2025 Per Game Active Bonus: $58,823 ($1M)
All Pro Selection: $250,000
+ Playoff berth: $500,000
2026 Poison Pill Added: $75M 2028 salary fully guarantees the 3rd league day of 2026

Source: PFT

2022-2022 Franchise Tag

Contract Terms:

1 yr(s) / $10,931,000

Average Salary:

$10,931,000

Signing Bonus:

N/A

GTD at Sign:

Total GTD:

Free Agent:

2023 / UFA

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2017-2021 Rookie

Contract Terms:

4 yr(s) / $9,525,095

Average Salary:

$2,381,274

Signing Bonus:

$5,067,342

GTD at Sign:

$9,525,095

Total GTD:

$9,525,095

Free Agent:

2022 / UFA

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Seasons

8 Years

Career Earnings thru 2026

$70,161,063

Earnings w/ Different Teams

1 team

Earnings Per Year

Year	Age	Status	Cash Total	Cash Cumulative	Awards
2017	21	Active	$5,532,342	$5,532,342
2018	22	Active	$897,959	$6,430,301
2019	23	Active	$1,339,519	$7,769,820
2020	24	Active	$1,853,148	$9,622,968
2021	25	Active	$6,013,000	$15,635,968
2022	26	Active	$12,500,000	$28,135,968
2023	27	Active	$12,500,000	$40,635,968	Afc Pro Bowl:TE
2024	28	Injured	$14,569,213	$55,205,181
2025	29	Active	$14,955,882	$70,161,063
Total			$70,161,063	$70,161,063
Total			$70,161,063

Earnings Per Team

Years	Team	Base	Signing	Roster	Restructure	Option	Incentives	Cash Cumulative
9		$15,050,754	$16,532,342	-	$3,420,000	-	$167,085	$70,161,063

Year	Age	Base	Signing	Roster	Option	Incentives	Cash Total	Cash Cumulative
2017	21	$465,000	$5,067,342				$5,532,342	$5,532,342
2018	22	$897,959					$897,959	$6,430,301
2019	23	$1,330,918				$8,601	$1,339,519	$7,769,820
2020	24	$1,763,877				$89,271	$1,853,148	$9,622,968
2021	25	$6,013,000					$6,013,000	$15,635,968
2022	26	$1,035,000	$11,465,000				$12,500,000	$28,135,968
2023	27	$1,080,000		$3,420,000	$8,000,000		$12,500,000	$40,635,968
2024	28	$1,210,000			$11,790,000	$69,213	$14,569,213	$55,205,181
2025	29	$1,255,000			$12,995,000		$14,955,882	$70,161,063
Total		$15,050,754	$16,532,342	$3,420,000	$32,785,000	$167,085	$70,161,063	$70,161,063
Total		$15,050,754	$16,532,342	$3,420,000	$32,785,000	$167,085	$70,161,063

Earnings Per Team

Years	Team	Base	Signing	Roster	Restructure	Option	Incentives	Cash Cumulative
9		$15,050,754	$16,532,342	-	$3,420,000	-	$167,085	$70,161,063

Injuries

Year		Weeks	Reason
2024	CLE	18 - 18	Knee
2021	CLE	14 - 14	COVID-19
2020	CLE	2 - 4	Knee (MCL)
2019	CLE	3 - 13	Wrist

Oct 17, 2025 Fined $14,491 Obscene Gesture against Pittsburgh (PIT)
Dec 08, 2023 Fined $16,391 Tripping against Los Angeles (LAR)
Sep 22, 2023 Fined $13,659 Taunting (Gun Celebration)
Aug 22, 2023 Converted $3.42M of 2023 salary into signing bonus, clearing $2.736M of cap with Cleveland (CLE)
May 27, 2022 Signed a 4 year $56.75 million contract extension with Cleveland (CLE)
Mar 07, 2022 Offered a 1 year $10.931 million franchise tag by Cleveland (CLE)
Apr 27, 2020 Cleveland (CLE) exercised a $6.013 million option for 2021
Jun 15, 2017 Signed a 4 year $9.52 million contract with Cleveland (CLE)
Apr 27, 2017 Drafted by Cleveland (CLE): Round 1 (#29 overall)

Fines

Date	Reason	Fine Amount
Oct 17, 2025	Obscene Gesture against Pittsburgh (PIT)	$14,491
Dec 08, 2023	Tripping against Los Angeles (LAR)	$16,391
Sep 22, 2023	Taunting (Gun Celebration)	$13,659
Fines: 3		$44,541

Year	Team	GP	GS	Snaps	Snaps%	Rec Targets	Rec Receptions	Rec Yards	Rec Yards/Rec	Rec Yards/Gm	Rec Touchdowns	Fum
2025	CLE	12	11	514	47.46	48	33	293	8.9	24.4	4	0
2024	CLE	11	11	589	49.87	97	64	505	7.9	45.9	5	0
2023	CLE	16	15	970	78.23	123	81	882	10.9	55.1	6	2
2022	CLE	14	14	817	69.71	80	58	628	10.8	44.9	4	1
2021	CLE	16	11	670	60.52	53	36	475	13.2	29.7	4	0
2020	CLE	13	5	410	38.64	29	19	213	11.2	16.4	2	0
2019	CLE	4	1	101	9.40	10	5	41	8.2	10.3	1	0
2018	CLE	16	14	873	79.90	89	56	639	11.4	39.9	4	0
2017	CLE	16	5	501	46.90	60	32	386	12.1	24.1	4	0

Calculated Market Value

$10.0M Avg. Annual Salary

Market Value

2 years, $19,982,600
Avg. Salary: $9,991,300
NFL Rank: 312
TE Rank: 17

Current Contract

Free Agent: 2026
Avg. Salary: $13,687,500
NFL Rank: 213
TE Rank: 5

Comparable Players

We've selected the following players based on their age, contract status, and statistical production to compare David Njoku to.

Player	Length	Value	Avg. Salary	Age When Signed
Dallas Goedert	1	$10,000,000	$10,000,000	30
Jonnu Smith	1	$12,010,000	$12,010,000	29
Mark Andrews	3	$39,267,000	$13,089,000	29
Evan Engram	2	$23,000,000	$11,500,000	30
Averages	2	$21,069,250	$11,649,750	29.5

Base Calculated Value

After adjusting the above contracts as if signed at Njoku's current age (29), a linear regression is performed, providing us with the following initial value.

Length	Value	Avg. Salary
2	$23,766,174	$11,883,087

Statistical Comparisons

Now we'll compare our variables and Njoku statistically over the two seasons prior to their signing. In this case we're analyzing: GP%, Snaps %, Rec Tgt/Gm, Rec/Gm, Rec Yds/Gm, Rec TD/Gm, YAC/GM, Drops/Gm, Rating

Player	GP%	Snaps %	Rec Tgt/Gm	Rec/Gm	Rec Yds/Gm	Rec TD/Gm	YAC/GM	Drops/Gm	Rating
Dallas Goedert 2023-2024	70.59	59.85	5.62	4.21	45.33	0.21	24.00	0.21	69.50
Jonnu Smith 2023-2024	100.00	56.35	5.32	4.06	43.12	0.32	26.09	0.26	68.65
Mark Andrews 2023-2024	79.41	62.65	4.81	3.70	45.07	0.63	15.33	0.22	81.90
Evan Engram 2023-2024	76.47	63.35	7.96	6.19	51.08	0.19	26.23	0.27	72.05
Average	81.62	60.55	5.93	4.54	46.15	0.34	22.91	0.24	73.03
David Njoku 2024-2025	67.65	50.00	6.30	4.22	34.70	0.39	18.26	0.35	59.75
Pct Change	-17.12	-17.42	6.24	-7.05	-24.81	14.71	-20.30	-45.83	-18.18
Median Prime % Change									-17.42%
Average Prime % Change									-14.42%

Calculated Market Value: David Njoku

After applying our Prime % figures into our base calculated value, we're given two values. The average of these values becomes our current calculated market value.

Terms	Avg. Salary
2 years, $19,982,600	$9,991,300

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