The Jacksonville Jaguars are off to a better-than-expected 4-1 start in the first year under Liam Coen, and the team put an exclamation point on that strong start by knocking off the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night.
However, that win didn't come without a loss, as ascending tight end Brenton Strange suffered a quadriceps injury that landed him on injured reserve, which means he'll be out for the next four games.
Not having Strange, who is in the midst of a career year, is a significant blow for the Jaguars and the team could look to make a move to help weather the storm while he remains sidelined.
To remedy the situation, Pro Football & Sports Network's Josh Weil predicts the Jags will pull off a trade with the Cleveland Browns for 29-year-old former Pro Bowl tight end David Njoku.
The prediction sees the Jags surrender a fourth-round pick.
- Jaguars get: TE David Njoku
- Browns get: 2026 fourth-round pick
With the Browns going nowhere at 1-4, and with Njoku set to hit free agency in 2026 and Harold Fannin looking like the future at the position, it makes all the sense in the world for Cleveland to deal the veteran tight end.
Njoku has gotten off to a slow start through five games, but that's more a result of the poor quarterback situation in Cleveland. Njoku came alive in Week 5, though, and showed that he's still the kind of impact pass-catcher he has always been following a six-catch, 67-yard, one-touchdown performance.
A Pro Bowler in 2023, Njoku has four seasons with north of 500 yards, including three with over 600 and one with over 800.
Njoku would instantly be an upgrade over the healthy tight ends the Jags have now, and he would form an elite duo with Strange upon his return, which will only help quarterback Trevor Lawrence move the ball through the air.
Considering his age and contract status, we tend to believe Njoku won't require that much of a return in a trade, but Jacksonville shouldn't balk at that scenario if he does with the team having legit playoff hopes in 2025.
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