TE David Njoku - Why He's The Best TE From This Class + Analysis

[d-dave]

Anyone else think "This guy is smaller than KB?"  

Hey, he looks like a heck of a player!  I wouldn't be sad if we drafted him!  

[Saca312]

1 hour ago, Mr. Scot said:

This is where my questions lie, Sac.

He strikes me as a Kellen Winslow type, and Winslow was never a special blocker.  With many of our run plays, downfield blocking by receivers and TEs can be important.

How comfortable are you on this?

What I personally believe is that he has all the potential to be a dominant blocker.

The issue is he's young. He's only a sophomore in college. But he's grown from like 210lbs in HS to 245lbs. What I like looking at is technique. You watch his technique, and he does indeed show up.

Miami used him in power plays as well; trusting him enough to be a decent blocker. The only issue is when he'll finally be in an NFL body, but he's growing real fast. I have no doubt he'll be good within 1 or 2 years.

[GoobyPls]

19 minutes ago, 15 said:

What makes you think that? he's a very raw player that blocks with mostly strength. Olsen is strong but a very smart blocker that takes the best angles to open plays up. Olsen is also a better route runner and just seems to have a better football IQ than Njoku. 

Cause I saw both of them play at Miami, Olsen couldn't block a lick while Njoku has shown when asked he's more than capable. Njoku is naturally way stronger and faster, he has natural abilities that can't be taught. 

[AU-panther]

5 minutes ago, GoobyPls said:

Cause I saw both of them play at Miami, Olsen couldn't block a lick while Njoku has shown when asked he's more than capable. Njoku is naturally way stronger and faster, he has natural abilities that can't be taught. 

I think he has all the potential in the world athletically but how are his hands?

After the past few years I'm to the point that I don't want to even consider a guy if his hands are suspect at all.  I think at times we convince ourselves that they can work on it because we fall in love with height/weight/speed but once the season starts we start complaining again.

 

[Mr. Scot]

1 hour ago, Saca312 said:

What I personally believe is that he has all the potential to be a dominant blocker.

The issue is he's young. He's only a sophomore in college. But he's grown from like 210lbs in HS to 245lbs. What I like looking at is technique. You watch his technique, and he does indeed show up.

Miami used him in power plays as well; trusting him enough to be a decent blocker. The only issue is when he'll finally be in an NFL body, but he's growing real fast. I have no doubt he'll be good within 1 or 2 years.

Fair enough.

[GoobyPls]

9 minutes ago, AU-panther said:

I think he has all the potential in the world athletically but how are his hands?

After the past few years I'm to the point that I don't want to even consider a guy if his hands are suspect at all.  I think at times we convince ourselves that they can work on it because we fall in love with height/weight/speed but once the season starts we start complaining again.

 

His hands aren't that bad I think he only had 8 drops in 2 seasons or something around that number, they can improve.

I don't remember him having significant wide open drops like Ginn has.

[Saca312]

55 minutes ago, AU-panther said:

I think he has all the potential in the world athletically but how are his hands?

After the past few years I'm to the point that I don't want to even consider a guy if his hands are suspect at all.  I think at times we convince ourselves that they can work on it because we fall in love with height/weight/speed but once the season starts we start complaining again.

 

His hands are solid, as alluded to the video. He shows great technique and arm extension.

His drops happen when he runs before the catch, with him wanting to get YAC. That is a correctable issue. I have no doubt he'll be fine in that department.

His sample size is small, hence his inflated drop percentages. Film shows a sturdy and reliable guy getting better every game. 

[LinvilleGorge]

59 minutes ago, GoobyPls said:

His hands aren't that bad I think he only had 8 drops in 2 seasons or something around that number, they can improve.

I don't remember him having significant wide open drops like Ginn has.

If I remember correctly, he dropped wide open passes on back to back plays vs. UNC.

[Saca312]

If you want what the popular consensus of the NFL's comparison as far as Njoku.

He's compared to Olsen a lot. That tells you all you need to know.

[Mr. Scot]

Just now, Saca312 said:

If you want what the popular consensus of the NFL's comparison as far as Njoku.

He's compared to Olsen a lot. That tells you all you need to know.

You wouldn't see Winslow as a closer comparison?

Remind me, what was Olsen's playing weight in college?

[Saca312]

18 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

You wouldn't see Winslow as a closer comparison?

Remind me, what was Olsen's playing weight in college?

Winslow is pretty close. I can see that comparison.

Olsen was 254 coming out of college. I think they're comparing Njoku's and Olsen's athletic ability coming out of college. I just mentioned what most draftniks compare him too.

[Manos]

Anyone else think "This guy is smaller than KB?"  

Hey, he looks like a heck of a player!  I wouldn't be sad if we drafted him!  

To be fair most people look small compared to KB, he is fuging huge.

Sent from my XT1254 using CarolinaHuddle mobile app

[MV%doe]

Who fits the panthers?

I member Greg talking about TE coach-" yes until you hit that blocking sled 1,000 times, you don't see the field".  Honestly cannot see Nikki doing any H-back, motioning into the backfield, and blocking DEs anytime soon. If this team was passing heavy, then I'd see Njoku has a option in the 1st. Hes a slot WR that's listed as a TE.

The 2nd TE being a issue, this is a perfect draft to find a Olsen replacement. Greg's a pro, he'll teach the rookie the game. Then in 1-3 years panthers will have a able trained TE to take cam into his deep years.

[Saca312]

Visiting this again since the Panthers had a visit with Njoku. Still believe he'll be one of the best TEs from this draft.

I'll post some analysis on his blocking technique soon.