The Cleveland Browns may be in the market to rebuild by trading their star tight end, and the Dallas Cowboys are named as a potential suitor. originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Dallas Cowboys have already made four trades this offseason, with each bringing in players who could make a difference in the starting lineup right away.
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Headlining the moves was Dallas sending draft picks to the Pittsburgh Steelers to acquire the electrifying wide receiver George Pickens. This trade builds a dangerous passing attack with quarterback Dak Prescott and All-Pro receiver CeeDee Lamb that could rival the best offensive trios in the NFL.
The Cowboys are expected to be done making high-profile free agency moves and go into training camp with what they have, but that isn’t stopping the opportunity to fantasize another trade that could shake up Dallas’ offense even more.
Anthony Palacios of Last Word On Sports speculates, since the Cleveland Browns drafted talented prospect Harold Fannin and are entering a rebuild, that Pro Bowl tight end David Njoku might be made available in a trade.
Njoku is entering the final year of his current contract and despite being one of Cleveland’s best players in recent years, the Browns could turn things over to the rookie if it helps their causes in ushering in a new era with their new-look quarterback room. That uncertainty under center may also lead the Browns to think Njoku would want to leave next offseason, so they could try to get value for him ahead of time if possible.
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Palacios lists the Cowboys as a potential trade partner, despite Dallas still having a former Pro Bowler themselves in Jake Ferguson.
“Last season, tight end Jake Ferguson had one of the worst campaigns in his career. He’s hopeful to make a huge turnaround, even though it might seem bright after trading for George Pickens,” Palacios said.
“However, anything could happen, and Njoku provides a lot of experience that the Cowboys could benefit from if Luke Schoonmaker can’t step up behind Ferguson.”
Ferguson did have a down year in 2024, but there has been no chatter about the front office looking to move on from “Big Biscuit”. He is entering just his fourth season in the NFL and can blame injuries – to himself and his quarterback – for some of his inefficiency last season.
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While Njoku would certainly provide more experience and greater athleticism, the Cowboys likely aren’t in the market to dish out any extra draft capital if they can help it.
And in comparing their 2023 seasons (the year both players made their lone Pro Bowls), Njoku’s numbers are only slightly better than Ferguson’s – even though the former has five more years of experience than the latter.
The Browns tight end finished with 81 catches, 881 yards and six touchdowns. Dallas’ Ferguson ended with 71 receptions, 761 yards and five scores (on less targets).
The Cowboys are hoping their tight end bounces back with how the Lamb/Pickens duo is expected to command loads of attention and free up Ferguson’s sweet spots in the middle of the field.
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Adding Njoku to this group could result in a crowded situation of guys demanding touches that Dallas would rather avoid under first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer.
Related: Brian Schottenheimer’s Dallas Cowboys Methods Perfectly Fit His One Favorite Word
Related: Does Dak Prescott Finally Have A Good Cowboys Supporting Cast?
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
