The Denver Broncos have been conspicuously quiet in terms of signing outside players in free agency, sparking polarizing reactions. However, the Broncos’ prudence has not eliminated quality options like Pro Bowler David Njoku.
Njoku has been a speculative target for the Broncos before.
Now, amid the Broncos’ need and Njoku’s continuing availability in free agency, a new connection has emerged.
David Njoku Name-Dropped as Potential Broncos Target
GettyDavid Njoku #85 of the Cleveland Browns warms up before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Amid the Broncos’ inactivity with bringing in players from other teams in free agency, they have retained most of their own, including several at Njoku’s tight end position. The list includes top options, Adam Trautman and Evan Engram.
However, that may not be all that the Broncos have planned.
“I’m not sure the Broncos are done yet at tight end,” Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer wrote on March 16. “Denver has had interest in Dallas Goedert, and David Njoku is still unsigned.”
Goedert re-signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, with whom he won a Super Bowl in 2024, leaving Njoku as the best veteran option available in free agency. Njoku, who turns 30 in July, had 33 receptions for 293 yards and 4 touchdowns in 2025, his lowest production since 2020.
He is now three years removed from posting a 81-882-6 line.
Njoku has battled injuries in the time since, which the Broncos are already navigating with Engram, whom they signed in free agency during the 2025 offseason.
Broncos Can Still Sign ‘Explosive’ TE
GettyDavid Njoku #85 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after a receiving touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Broncos may not be hard-pressed to find another tight end, but they could land Njoku at a considerable value at this stage of the offseason. He is coming off a four-year, $54.7 million contract with $70.1 million in career earnings.
Spotrac projected Njoku’s market value at a $10 million annual salary and a two-year, $19.9 million contract.
The Athletic’s Daniel Popper projected a one-year, $9.5 million pact.
“Njoku is an explosive height-weight-speed athlete, particularly after the catch. He has contested-catch ability down the field. He has tremendous feet in and out of breaks,” Popper wrote in February. “Njoku should be a better blocker, given his frame. He shows flashes in this phase but is not nearly consistent enough.”
Popper also noted that the Cleveland Browns’ shift to 2025 third-round pick Harold Fannin contributed to Njoku’s down stat line. Njoku ranked 76th overall and the ninth-best tight end in free agency on The Athletic’s list.
David Njoku Comes With Red Flags
Getty ImagesDavid Njoku #85 of the Cleveland Browns looks on during the fourth quarter in the game against the New England Patriots.
Despite what Njoku can provide, the Broncos cannot necessarily overlook his extensive injury history. Engram is still around, but the Broncos cut fellow 2025 free agent pickup Dre Greenlaw after one injury-marred campaign.
Injuries are at least one of the main reasons Njoku remains available in free agency.
The 29th overall pick of the 2017 draft, Njoku has missed at least one game every season since the 2018 campaign, missing multiple contests five times in that span.
“At his peak, Njoku was able to create after the catch as part of the many multi-TE sets the Browns ran under coach Kevin Stefanski. Cleveland moved him around a bit to create mismatches, but Njoku was usually best as an inline tight end, which might limit his flexibility for teams that do want to run 12 and 13 personnel more often in 2026,” ESPN’s Bill Barnwell wrote on March 13.
“The 2017 first-round pick will be taking a pay cut from the $13.7 million he earned annually on his last contract, and he has battled knee issues throughout his career. But in a league in which the bar is so low for tight ends who can make an impact as a receiver, Njoku should still attract interest.”
The Broncos’ tight ends combined for 84 receptions for 772 yards and 3 TDs in 2025, numbers Njoku topped (save for receptions) by himself during his standout 2023 campaign. That could be his strongest case for landing in Denver.
Broncos Connected to Pro Bowl TE After Missing on Super Bowl Champion