The Miami Dolphins have a need at tight end, and there appear to be rumors circulating that they could bring in tight end David Njoku.
The Miami Dolphins have been in a full roster reset, as they released Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Bradley Chubb, and more. Despite having to pay over $175 million in dead money, the reasoning behind shedding their large contracts was to get "younger and cheaper," as general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan put it.
That said, Sullivan got to work on bringing in a ton of low-cost signings to round out the roster for the 2026 season. With the choice to go cheaper and build through the draft, there is not a strong chance any veterans will be signed, so why have rumors popped up surrounding tight end David Njoku, and should Miami bring him in?
Njoku signing with the Dolphins has one main and obvious connection: he played college football for the University of Miami. He was also recently spotted on campus, linking up with the "Bussin With the Boys" podcast hosts.
A chance meeting is nothing to bank a signing on, but Njoku has some deep Miami connections. Would bringing him in make sense for this new-direction Dolphins team?
Njoku has been one of the most consistent tight ends in the league and has played all of his nine-season career with the Cleveland Browns. In that time, he secured 4,062 yards and 34 touchdowns.
Njoku's most successful season came in 2023, when he brought in 882 yards and six touchdowns en route to a Pro Bowl nod. The tight end has also had to deal with tons of quarterback turnover for the organization, so he may have been even better had the team settled or found a true franchise option.
That is not to say that Malik Willis will be the Dolphins' franchise option, but he has the chance to prove what he can do. Willis also has the ability to throw the deep ball, which could be good for Njoku.
Njoku is a big body that can go for contested balls, which is something the Dolphins have not typically had on the offense in recent years. Darren Waller was brought in and caught six touchdowns in limited time, but injuries hampered his true ability in 2025.
Waller is also presumably not returning to the Dolphins, which opens the door for the addition of someone like Njoku.
The major issues for Njoku being signed are that he has nearly 10 years in the NFL, and would go directly against what the Dolphins are building. His price might also be too high for what the team can afford.
Per Spotrac, Njoku is projected to get a two-year, $20 million deal, which is far more than what the Dolphins can afford.
Miami has a reported $2 million available in cap space, and the team will still need more than that to sign their rookie draft class. There is simply not enough money, unless they figure out and extend players like running back De'Von Achane, center Aaron Brewer, or linebacker Jordyn Brooks.
Bringing in Njoku would add some huge stability to the Dolphins' tight end room, but he is simply a bit too expensive.