Detroit Lions Draft 2017: A Tight End for Every Round
By Ash Thompson
David Njoku, Miami
O.J. Howard will be long gone by the time that the Lions pick in round one. he would be the ultimate coup for Bob Quinn in this draft. Njoku is a very solid back up plan. Njoku’s ability to go after the ball in the air is elite.
Whether he is making a one handed catch with a cornerback draped all over him, or blowing past a linebacker in the middle of the field, Njoku can do everything a team could ever want as a receiver from the tight end position.
While he was not a beastly blocker, he was perfectly willing to engage his blocking assignment for the Hurricanes. Picking a tight end this high would not bode well for the future of Eric Ebron in Detroit. Njoku is a direct replacement for Eric Ebron, not a complement. If the Idea is to be able to run a more versatile offense, then the first round is not likely where the Lions will address the position.
The NFL network’s Daniel Jeremiah said on a recent conference call that he considers Njoku a better prospect than Ebron was, with greater ability as a receiver and more willingness to block.