DavidNjoku

News: 1 day agoNjoku and Charlie Kolar both started Thursday's preseason game against San Francisco. Njoku finished with no targets on five snaps.

Spin: They're also listed as co-starters on the preseason depth chart, ahead of pass-catching specialist Oronde Gadsden. It's no secret that offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel puts a premium on TE blocking, and while Njoku has never been considered a standout in that regard, he's at least got a leg up on Gadsden. We'll still need to wait for the regular season to truly understand how McDaniel wants to deploy his tight ends (and FB Alec Ingold).

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Njoku signed with the Chargers after spending his first nine NFL seasons in Cleveland. The 2017 first-round pick was a late bloomer and has struggled with durability (he hasn't played a full season since 2018), but he has been a productive fantasy starter in recent years. Prior to a lost 2025 campaign, Njoku finished in the top eight among tight ends in fantasy PPG three seasons in a row. A force near the goal line, Njoku paced the position in end zone targets in both 2023 and 2024. At 30 years old, Njoku likely still has something left in the tank, but he has a tough path to fantasy relevance in a Los Angeles tight end room that also includes ascending Oronde Gadsden II. Njoku will only be worth a late flier if he quickly takes control as the team's clear starter at the position.