David Njoku

David Njoku enters the 2026 fantasy football season with a lot of name recognition, but also plenty of risk. After spending nine seasons in Cleveland, he announced in February that he would not return to the Browns, and he later signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers, giving him a fresh opportunity in a new offense.

The big concern is health. Njoku’s 2025 season was derailed by a knee injury, and he ended the year with a disappointing 33 catches for 293 yards and four touchdowns after missing the final stretch of the season. That injury history matters for fantasy managers, because it helps explain why his recent production has been far more volatile than his name value suggests.

There is still a path to useful fantasy production if the volume shows up. He flashed target upside early in 2025 before the knee issue, and one projection model still sees him as a midrange TE1 type, while another is much more pessimistic and slots him outside the top 20 at the position. That range tells the story well: Njoku has a ceiling if he earns steady work, but his floor is shaky because of injuries and changing team context.

For 2026 drafts, Njoku looks like a classic late-round or streaming tight end rather than a set-and-forget starter. If you want upside, he is worth a look after the top tier is gone, especially in deeper leagues and best ball formats. If you want safety, there are safer options, and Njoku is better treated as a gamble on talent, role, and a healthy bounce-back season.