David Njoku Agrees to Rookie Contract with Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku officially signed his rookie contract, the team announced Thursday.

The first-round pick confirmed the news with this image on his Twitter account:

Given that the Browns released former starter Gary Barnidge a day after making Njoku the No. 29 overall pick in this year's draft, the team clearly believes Njoku can make an immediate impact in the passing game. And Njoku is already preparing like a player expecting to succeed.

"Whether it was a certain route, running it a certain way, or after the catch, trying to find a way to break tackles with a juke, a stiff arm, a hurdle, or a spin move or whatever it was—I sit down, play some nice music, and meditate and focus on more of my instincts and reactions, imagining defenders when I have the ball in my hands," he told Lorenzo Reyes of USA Today. "I think that really helped me."

His addition is the latest in Cleveland's bolstered offense, as Field Yates of ESPN noted:

"

Browns offensive additions since last year: Corey Coleman, David Njoku, Kenny Britt, DeShone Kizer, Kevin Zeitler, JC Tretter. Improving.

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 29, 2017"

Njoku is certainly a threat in the passing game and after the catch. He caught 43 passes for 698 yards and eight touchdowns for the Miami Hurricanes in 2016.

Njoku is a rare combination of size (6'4", 246 pounds) and athleticism (he ran a 4.64 40-yard dash and posted a 37.5" vertical leap and 133" broad jump at the NFL Scouting Combine).

It's fair to say that Njoku is raw, however, having only played tight end for two seasons. On the other hand, he doesn't lack for confidence.

"I can do it all," he told Reyes. "I can line up on the line of scrimmage attached, or go outside and make it happen at receiver. It hasn’t really stopped me or made me think twice of making this step and coming out. I’ve only played tight end for about two years. I’m new to the position, but I think I’m improving very fast. I think I can only get better from here on out."

The Browns are betting on him being right.