David Njoku

David Njoku’s 2026 fantasy outlook got a real boost with his move to the Chargers, where he signed a one-year deal worth up to $8 million and will now catch passes from Justin Herbert. After a disappointing 2025 in Cleveland, when he averaged just 7.2 PPR points per game in 12 contests, the change of scenery gives him a much cleaner path back to weekly fantasy relevance. Herbert is a major upgrade at quarterback, and that alone makes Njoku more interesting than he was in the Browns’ volatile offense.

The biggest reason to be cautious is target competition. The Chargers also have Oronde Gadsden II, who flashed as a rookie in 2025, so Njoku may not immediately become a true volume monster at tight end. Still, multiple recent fantasy evaluations see him as a capable midrange starter with top-15 upside, especially if the Chargers use him heavily near the red zone. That is important because Njoku has shown touchdown upside before, and his career profile still fits as a pass-catching tight end who can produce without needing huge target totals.

Health is also part of the equation. Njoku missed a combined 11 games in 2024 and 2025, so durability remains a real fantasy concern even though he still produced 97 catches, 798 yards, and nine touchdowns over those two seasons combined. The good news is that he was still productive when available, and his down 2025 season looks more like a combination of injuries and poor offensive environment than a sign of a total collapse. If he stays on the field, he has a clear chance to outproduce many tight ends being drafted in the same range.

For 2026 drafts, Njoku profiles as a strong value pick rather than a locked-in elite tight end. Recent projections have him around 37 catches, 371 yards, and 5 touchdowns, which points to useful fantasy starter production with room for more if Herbert leans on him early in the season. In short, Njoku is a good mid-round target for managers who want upside at a thin position, but the best-case outcome depends on both health and how the Chargers divide tight end usage.

Updated 06/08/2026