David Njoku Says He’s Told He Won’t Be There For The Bucs At No. 19
April 19th, 2017
Shares his intel
A faction of Bucs fans believes the team needs a tight end and would give a standing ovation if O.J. Howard or David Njoku were drafted by Tampa Bay in the first round.
Joe is certain there would be loud applause at One Buc Palace, too.
The Bucs scheduled visits with both players. Njoku, the University of Miami stud who is not regarded as highly as Howard, had a very interesting chat on CBS Sports Radio today.
He told the Tiki and Tierney show that his people are telling him he won’t be on the board at No. 19, when the Bucs are scheduled to pick.
“I’m being told a lot of stuff. I’m being told anywhere from the 8th pick to the 17th, 18th pick. I’m just ready to compete. I love competing.”
And not just in the receiving game. Njoku loves getting after it in the run game, too.
“I can’t wait for my first block,” the 6-4, 248-pounder said, “In practice, it might be a fight – because I’m ready to go.”
When Njoku talks about what he’s been “told,” he’s certainly referring to comments from his agent, team sources and others with insider knowledge. That’s surely not always accurate, but it’s interesting that the low end of his range doesn’t make him available at No. 19.
Joe is not in favor of the Bucs drafting a tight end. So if both go before the Bucs are on the clock, assuming there is no draft-day trade up, then that means the Bucs have a better shot of drafting a stud DE or running back.
April 19th, 2017 at 1:01 pm
Great, let someone else take him
April 19th, 2017 at 1:03 pm
OLine or DLine!!!!! That wins Games!
April 19th, 2017 at 1:05 pm
Hard Knocks for Bucs!!!
April 19th, 2017 at 1:06 pm
Man plenty of stud TE available. There’s Jordan Leggett, Adam Shaheen and Bucky Hodges. I’m not stressing the Tim Wright 2.0 from Miami.
April 19th, 2017 at 1:06 pm
He would be a great weapon for Jameis for sure. I think he’s in the 12 to 20 range for sure. I believe we go D-Line in Rd 1. That’s the vibe I’m seeeing.
April 19th, 2017 at 1:12 pm
Fine with that. I like Bucky Hodges
April 19th, 2017 at 1:16 pm
He won’t be there at #19…. until somebody goes out of the box with their 1st round pick and it pushes higher rated guys down.
8 days away and a whole bunch will change still.
April 19th, 2017 at 1:22 pm
I personally would rather Shaheen over Njoku. But at 6’6 295lbs and coming from a Big time program Malik McDowell is quickly becoming my second most desired player in this draft Jacko.
April 19th, 2017 at 1:22 pm
Good – an early “run” on TEs – maybe that means Cook or Davis will fall to us.
I will be cheering every time a QB or LB gets picked ahead of us next week.
Cool presser regarding Hard Knocks invading the Bay area BTW. Its gonna be fun to watch.
April 19th, 2017 at 1:26 pm
This draft has the makings of a three ring circus. I could see this either being a draft where most teams are content to just sit and let it come to them or I could see it being a trade-fest with every team jockeying for position to get their guy.
I’m pumped. I’m growing to the point where even if they make the bone headed decision to go RB in the 1st round I’m not going to flip out and be pissed like I did when they took Josh Freeman, there’s still players I love going all the way through the 4th or 5th round.
April 19th, 2017 at 1:28 pm
If this guy or Howard is there at 19, I would be thrilled if they pulled the trigger on them.
April 19th, 2017 at 1:33 pm
Nole
Man in the process of watching highlights of McDowell I kept seeing #98 making all kinds of plays.
#98 Demetrius Cooper DE 6’6 253 lbs.
April 19th, 2017 at 1:45 pm
Sounds about right, the best possible fits will be gone by the time we pick.
April 19th, 2017 at 1:50 pm
OJ Howard is the best TE coming out since Gronkowski…I wouldn’t be adverse to taking Howard, but there is no way he’ll be there at nineteen for the Buccs.
Jabril Peppers is severely underrated and offers so much value (offensive weapon, special teams weapon, can match-up with te’s rb’s, wr’s, and knows how to blitz and controls the edge very well – opposing players have to cut back into the teeth of defense with him there). There will be a few players at 19 I’d be happy the Buccs take…there ist oo much pressure to move-up from fans when there isn’t always a need to do so.
April 19th, 2017 at 1:53 pm
In a word “NO.”
April 19th, 2017 at 1:55 pm
Jake Butt 2nd round
April 19th, 2017 at 1:56 pm
Ima go back and look again then 55.
April 19th, 2017 at 1:59 pm
Allday I think Butt gone be real solid in the league. To quote the Raven’s Terrell Suggs “you can’t go wrong with the white TE”.. No flash in them just production.
April 19th, 2017 at 2:12 pm
I love the idea of getting a two way tight end–other than a top three running back or a (no body will like this one) top two OT, a top two TE works for me.
April 19th, 2017 at 2:16 pm
I’d be thrilled with Howard or Njoku at 19! Imagine having Evans and D-Jax at WR, along with Brate and Howard/Njoku at TE, and Quizz Rodgers/Kamara/Foreman/Mixon/ or Hunt at RB ALL ON THE FIELD AT THE SAME TIME for Jameis to work with! Our offense would be amazingly potent!
I get goosebumps just thinking about it!
April 19th, 2017 at 2:33 pm
Love it Jeagan! Lets use three draft picks on RBs!!!! C’mon Man! That would be beyond stupid!
April 19th, 2017 at 2:34 pm
Maybe I am misreading it because of the way you wrote it.
April 19th, 2017 at 2:57 pm
I see what you saying about the other guy 55. I would still lean towards McDowell tho. Dude on YouTube breaking down his game is clearly lobbying for him to wind up inn Carolina which I hope won’t happen but likely could considering the age of Peppers and the age and back issue with Charles Johnson. I’m just salty because I’m tired Rivers landing big time D linemen.
April 19th, 2017 at 3:00 pm
People falling for they hype thinking Rivera taking a RB in the first fooling them selves. The defensive side is where he makes his bones. I think we may very well be talking about his first round draft choice in McDowell.
April 19th, 2017 at 3:13 pm
hoping for an early run on QBs, TEs, RBs. all are positions without 1st round urgency for the bucs and push more players at “problem positions” down the draft board
April 19th, 2017 at 3:16 pm
We’ll see nole
April 19th, 2017 at 3:23 pm
Be honest Joe. If the top 3 RBs and top 3 DEs were already taken when we pick at #19, and Howard or Njoku were still available and were the BPAs at that point, would you really be against drafting a TE in the 1st rnd? In that scenario, no way the Bucs could pass on either of them.
April 19th, 2017 at 3:31 pm
I like Howard because he is a genuine 2-way TE. Not sold on Njoku being a solid run blocker. He knows this too, it’s why he mentioned it in the interview.
April 19th, 2017 at 3:34 pm
He’ll probably be good in a year or two. But he is raw and I doubt he will be a factor in a playoff run this year.
April 19th, 2017 at 4:22 pm
I like McDowell and I wish the Bucs were looking at him. Currently he seems to be projecting into our range and sometimes into the low 20s. He could be the perfect player for my scenario. The Bucs trade into the first with picks from next year get whoever they want the most then trade back out of 19 to like 27 and land McDowell while getting extra picks in the second and third.
April 19th, 2017 at 4:46 pm
If McDowell gets on a team with a good locker room, strong defensive coordinator and a talented d line coach he will be a double digit sack guy and prow bowler year after year. Anyone know a team that fits those criteria?
April 19th, 2017 at 5:06 pm
an acl tear just waitin to happen
April 19th, 2017 at 5:26 pm
No way Howard is there outside the top 10 and I’m still not sold on Njoku so don’t care if he is there or not
April 19th, 2017 at 5:34 pm
He will be an all pro for many years to come
April 19th, 2017 at 5:35 pm
With what we need this would be the dumbest pick we could get. I don’t care how great the TE’s would be. I’d rather see them take the rb if we have the great option or get d line or even a wr if the value is there. There is no way in my mind a TE is anywhere close to a pick that would make our team even better at the 19th pick. It makes absolutely no sense. It’s almost laughable. What? So we can have 2 TE’s when we can’t run or get to the qb? Clueless thoughts….
April 19th, 2017 at 5:45 pm
Myles Garrett
Jonathan Allen
Marshon Lattimore
Leonard Fournette
Jamal Adams
Christian McCaffrey
O.J. Howard
Malik Hooker
Solomon Thomas
Corey Davis
Derek Barnett
Tre’Davious White
Carl Lawson
Dalvin Cook
Mike Williams
Jordan Willis
Reuben Foster
John Ross
Haason Reddick
Malik McDowell
Ryan Ramczyk
I’ve heard every one of these players mentioned as being a ‘top 10 lock’, and I’m probably forgetting a few, but there’s 21 names there. There’s also 3 QB’s that could work their way into the mix. This draft is crazy, but my point is, there’s a ton of talent in the first round, probably 25 guys who have top 10 talent (historically). Some of them will fall, they have to.
April 19th, 2017 at 6:12 pm
BILL
100% agreement
That list you have is “Best player available” List
Licht has to pick the best 1 available left in tjat list
April 19th, 2017 at 6:18 pm
I’d MUUUUUCH rather have Evan Engram in the second anyway.
April 19th, 2017 at 7:15 pm
I remember when Kenyatta Walker was interviewed before the 2001 draft and he also pointed out that that if the Bucs wanted him they’d have to trade up to get him since he wasn’t falling that far. Well he fell a little bit, the Bucs traded up to get him…and it was all fairly regrettable.
April 19th, 2017 at 8:40 pm
Nice to read about other options rather then just RB for our top pick. Lots of fans seem to be pigeonholing our only option to be a RB and could be setting themselves up for a letdown. For all we know the Bucs have four or more players rated higher then Calvin Cook who will be available when it gets to 19.
I don’t watch college ball much but did like the highlights of this guy. Plus he is from Miami which is known for breeding an NFL mentality from their prospects.
Have seen little to no coverage on Safety prospects from mainstream media but that position has to be addressed as well. I think that becomes our pick if the Bucs see an All-Pro caliber player when they are on the clock. Lots of people are clammering for DEs and RBs but the chances of an All-Pro dropping to 19 at those positions is rare unless the Bucs see something others dont. Safety seems more likely to drop to us. I guess all that wil, matter is how much they like whichever Safety is avialable.
April 19th, 2017 at 8:48 pm
Rich. Brate is not that good. You would defientalysee a difference on the field if we had a TE who could get open and make plays down the field(which Brate can’t do). One look at Brates TD total and it’s o bvisous that tight end is an important part of this offense.
My question to you would be…..If the TE has a featured role in our offense why should we settle for an average TE when you could possibly draft an explosive player at the position?
April 19th, 2017 at 9:30 pm
JimmyJack what you just said
April 19th, 2017 at 10:43 pm
JimmyJack, nope. TE is not as crucial a need. We couldn’t even run the ball consistently to keep the chains going and we can’t even get consistent pressure on the other teams qb. Tell me what a TE is gonna do to make this team deadly if we can’t even get a 2 way offense going? Do you think it’s easy to find a Gronk or Graham, especially at a position so many teams don’t actually care use to attack defenses. Brate was good enough last year. He was one Winston’a go to guys and I think he’ll get better. Running game is far more important then TE right now. Qb pressure is far more important right now. I bet you would see our safeties improve if we had the front line causing problems. It’s funny I hear people blame the safeties, never hear them mention the front four doing their part. Most of the work gets done in the trenches and right now, we’re not setup running wise or qb pressure wise. We can deal with TE later. That supposed stud TE isn’t gonna improve this faster then the trench work on both sides of the ball friend. Like I said, Winston isn’t gonna be able to pass to a stud TE if the running game is too predictable and next nothing. Why would it be? Most teams only get tight ends to block anyway. You’re lucky if you find those that can get it really done.
April 19th, 2017 at 10:48 pm
We are to close to competing for titles to draft a project player that will take a couple of years to develop. We need a day 1 impact starter. This kid is not that at all. Take a DE, WR, DB, or RB in the 1st.
I would be shocked if Howard makes It past Carolina so this kids chances of going before us are good. I hope anyways. PASS
we need to end up with any of the following…
Watt DE
Barnett DE
Williams WR
Davis WR
Conley CB
McCaffrey (highly unlikely)
DE would be my pick all day especially if watt is available.
April 19th, 2017 at 10:49 pm
We can get a good TE that can contribute day 1 in the 3rd or 4th. Jordan Leggett is the best example
April 20th, 2017 at 1:05 am
@joe
What is the status of Meyers and Stocker and that fat boy Cross?
Are they still under contract?
Cross is a nice story but by no means is an NFL athlete!
We can not be overly sentimental and keep players because we “like” them and because they are “good guys.”
We need TALENT and HEART, not just heart.
Humphries is servicable but should be replaced as well as Cross
April 20th, 2017 at 11:49 am
Draft a RB in round 1…. geeze… same song from the Trent Richardson lovers from a few years back… and Richardson was twice the prospect these guys are.. NO THANKS!
April 20th, 2017 at 5:21 pm
@funkyxmunkey….. NO DOUBT!!!! I’ve been huffing over that kid since he was 3 lol. Watt is my guy all the way. Beginning of this season, just seeing his motor alone is enough to want this guy. His footwork looked like it needed some work, had difficulty digging…. As the season progressed he seemed to have that issue resolved