Browns David Njoku a Matchup Problem for Steelers

Whether Amari Cooper is able to play on Monday Night Football, the matchup that should be enticing for the Cleveland Browns is tight end David Njoku against the Pittsburgh Steelers linebackers. The Browns have the personnel to force the safeties to stay back and provide space for Njoku and other Browns weapons to exploit the second level of the Steelers defense.

Cooper is the best receiver on the Browns, so missing him for a game would be disappointing even if it might be the best path forward to ensure they get the best of him over the length of the season. His groin injury is considered minor but it may not be worth pushing it.

If he's out, the Browns are likely to utilize a combination of Donovan People-Jones, Cedric Tillman and Marquise Goodwin to play his role. Goodwin might be the most interesting against the Steelers. 

Despite the terrible weather in their game against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Browns had Deshaun Watson take multiple shots down the field trying to get the ball to Goodwin. They were close to connecting on one of them that could've produced a quick touchdown.

If the Browns utilize Goodwin along with Elijah Moore to go down the field, it's difficult to believe the Steelers are going to be confident in having their corners carry them all the way down the field. That could force their safeties, most notably Minkah Fitzpatrick to protect over the top. The result may be Njoku finding himself with linebackers trying to cover him.

Njoku is going to have an advantage against most any linebacker trying to cover him, but that might be exacerbated against the Steelers, who have a group better suited to stop the run than play in pass coverage. Their first game against the San Francisco 49ers didn't improve their reputation in coverage.

Cole Holcomb is a do-everything linebacker who calls the defense. He's coming off a poor debut, but there's reason to believe can bounce back and be a good player. Elandon Roberts is a hammer. If he's not playing the run, he should be blitzing because he's a liability in coverage. If they can help it, the Steelers would rather have Kwon Alexander on the field in passing situations to try to help in coverage.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has stated the Browns offense starts with "Mr. Chubb". That might suggest using plenty of Roberts, which could pave the way for the Browns to gain quick yardage in the passing game to Njoku. It also may get the Steelers hoping they can provide more help  which might include safety Damontae Kazee.

That will be difficult to do if Watson is forcing the Steelers to be honest down the field. Meanwhile, if the Steelers try to use safety help to cover Njoku, that may open up opportunities to attack vertically, potentially connecting with Goodwin down the field.

All of this is an important distraction as Njoku is still an excellent run blocker, likely going to be used to supplement Dawand Jones at right tackle and help with T.J. Watt. If the Browns get movement up front against the Steelers without Heyward, that could provide more space when they want to get the ball to Njoku.

In the Browns primetime victory against the Steelers last year, Njoku caught nine passes on ten targets for 89 yards and a touchdown. In the season finale, Watson only targeted Njoku five times, but they connected on four of them for 42 yards and a touchdown. His two games in 2021 combined for seven catches on seven targets for 67 yards and a touchdown.

David Njoku has been an efficient chain-mover against the Steelers in addition to being a difficult matchup in the red zone. Not having Amari Cooper would be unfortunate, but Njoku could be a way for the Browns to provide consistent stress to the Steelers defense, opening up opportunities for everyone else.