Njoku led the Browns in targets while running a pass route on 34 of the team’s 46 drop backs. Harold Fannin, meanwhile, had a quiet day with three grabs for 25 yards on five targets from Joe Flacco. Njoku now has a dozen catches over the season’s first three games — not exactly the kind of production fantasy managers banked on when they took him in drafts last month. Even so, Njoku should be a top-15 weekly tight end play and has a nice Week 4 matchup against the pass-funnel Detroit defense.

Njoku saw 23 of his yards coming on a deep pass down the middle late in the second quarter to convert a third and 13 and move the Browns into field goal range before the half. Two of his four receptions came on that drive, as the veteran tight end was largely held in check by a defense that didn’t give up much through the air or on the ground on Sunday. The use of Harold Fannin continues to be a thorn in the side of Njoku’s fantasy managers, and will likely continue to limit his upside. Njoku won’t be on the TE1 radar in Week 3 against the Packers.

A Cleveland tight end stole the show in Week 1, but it wasn’t Njoku. That honor goes to rookie Harold Fannin, who caught seven passes for 63 yards and led the team with nine targets. Njoku still ran a full complement of routes and five targets isn’t useless for fantasy purposes, but Fannin dominating underneath looks would be a massive hit to Njoku’s role. Njoku could slide out of the TE1 ranks if this Fannin usage continues into Week 2 versus the Ravens.

Njoku’s production took a massive step back in 2024 after Joe Flacco helped him reach new heights in 2023. Injuries didn’t help the situation, as Njoku was held to just 11 games this season, but his 7.9 YPR marked a new low, while his 505 yards were his fewest since 2021. Njoku will now have all offseason to get right, and will hopefully benefit from an upgrade at quarterback with Deshaun Watson’s future as a starter firmly in doubt. Now ruled out for Week 18, Jordan Akins will likely draw the start in the Browns’ season-finale.