The Opening Drive 5/13: David Njoku's Rare Browns Journey, and Kenny Moore's Appeal at Slot Corner

From 2017 to 2025, Njoku saw some rough years but also two trips to the postseason, and is Kenny Moore the nickel corner the Browns needed to shake loose?

May 13, 2026

There was always a feeling that the Browns and David Njoku were eventually heading toward this moment; it just came years later than initially expected. After nearly a decade with the organization, the veteran tight end has signed with the Los Angeles Chargers, bringing an end to one of the longest player tenures in the Browns’ modern era. Njoku said his goodbyes to the fans before free agency, so this doesn’t come as a surprise, but it does officially close the book on Njoku’s time with the Browns.

Njoku was not just another name on the roster. He was one of the few players who lived through almost every phase of Cleveland’s rebuild. He arrived as a first-round pick in 2017, experienced the instability of the early years, survived multiple coaching staffs and offensive systems, and eventually developed into one of the league’s more dangerous all-around tight ends.

The raw ability was always obvious.

At his best, Njoku gave defenses problems few tight ends could create. His combination of size, explosiveness, and run-after-catch ability made him a matchup nightmare when utilized correctly. The inconsistency early in his career was never about talent. It was about fit, development, and opportunity. Once the Browns finally found ways to consistently feature him, the production followed.

That peak came during the 2023 season when Njoku established himself as a major part of the offense and earned Pro Bowl recognition. He became a trusted target in key moments and one of the emotional leaders inside the locker room. It felt for a while like the Browns had finally unlocked the version of Njoku they envisioned when they drafted him. The Joe Flacco-to-Njoku connection late in that 2023 season will remain the best glimpse we got of his ceiling.

Over the last year, the Browns quietly began preparing for life after Njoku. The emergence of younger options at tight end in Harold Fannin Jr, combined with a coaching change to Todd Monken, made it increasingly likely that Cleveland would eventually turn the page. Njoku may still have something left to give, but the Browns appear ready to build the offense around a younger core moving forward, and his performance in 2025 left much to be desired.

Justin Herbert now gets another experienced target, and Los Angeles adds a veteran who can still create mismatches down the field and in the red zone. Njoku will no longer need to carry the full load offensively, which could actually allow him to find a more specialized role. In the right system, he could still impact games, but his blocking isn’t what it once was, and his athletic burst was missing last season.

From Cleveland’s perspective, this move signals confidence in the direction of the roster. The Browns have spent the offseason reshaping the offense with younger pieces and a different long-term vision. Moving on from a respected veteran like Njoku is never easy, but it is part of transitioning into a new era.

That does not lessen what he meant to the franchise.

Njoku stayed through difficult years, despite an early trade request out of town. He continued developing despite criticism and trade rumors. He matured into a leader, became a respected locker-room veteran, and gave the Browns several highly productive seasons.

Not every first-round pick fulfills expectations the way fans initially imagine. But lasting nearly a decade with one organization, growing into a cornerstone player, and helping stabilize the culture during important years matters. David Njoku’s time in Cleveland may be over, but his impact on the franchise should not be forgotten anytime soon. He was a part of two trips to the post-season in a Browns uniform, a feat not many can claim.

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Should The Browns Be Targeting CB Kenny Moore

(Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

After months of trying to work out a trade, the Indianapolis Colts have officially released veteran nickel corner Kenny Moore II after he requested to be let go.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Moore asked for his release after the Colts were unable to find a trade partner.

Even at 32 years old, Moore should have a strong market around the league. Since entering the NFL in 2017, he has consistently been one of the better nickel defenders in football and still plays with the same toughness and instincts that made him such an important part of Indianapolis’ defense for years.

Moore has recorded 21 interceptions during his career, but what really separates him is the way he plays the run from the slot. He remains an extremely physical defender who is willing to trigger downhill and take on contact, something that is becoming harder and harder to find at the nickel position. That showed again in 2025 when he earned an 84.4 run-defense grade from PFF.

With 111 career starts under his belt, Moore immediately becomes one of the top veteran defensive backs available on the market.

The Browns still have questions at nickel cornerback, and Moore would bring experience, versatility, and proven consistency to the role. I did a write-up on the nickel options in free agency just a couple of weeks ago, with Mike Hilton looking like the best available option at the time.

The biggest thing the Browns would have to weigh is balancing veteran help versus continuing to develop younger players already on the roster. But if Cleveland wants a reliable veteran who can still play quality football, tackle in the run game, and handle a heavy workload inside, Moore makes a lot of sense as an option worth exploring.

Moore is entering his 30s, and this would not be a move centered around long-term upside. Cleveland would need to determine whether his current level of play still matches what they need athletically at the position. The Browns also have to balance any veteran addition against the potential growth of younger players already competing for snaps.

Do you leave room for internal development, or do you prioritize proven reliability? The Browns will have to decide where that balance sits in their secondary heading into camp.

Still, this feels like the exact type of move Cleveland should at least investigate.

The AFC is loaded with talented quarterbacks and dangerous slot receivers. Having another experienced defensive back capable of handling inside responsibilities could go a long way toward improving the secondary’s overall stability. If the contract makes sense and the Browns believe he still has quality football left, Kenny Moore is the kind of veteran addition worth serious consideration.

This ultimately comes down to how strongly they feel about the future of their in-house options.

Browns Film Breakdown will return with more All-22 film this week of draftees.

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