LA Chargers: Charles Clay is a better option than David Njoku

David Njoku has demanded a trade from the Browns. While he could be interesting on the LA Chargers, Charles Clay would be a better fit.

On Friday, news broke that Browns’ tight end David Njoku has requested a trade from the team.

Njoku would like to be dealt before training camp. The Browns probably can’t guarantee that, but it makes sense to get something in return for the fourth-year tight end if he really doesn’t want to be there. Remember, Cleveland signed Austin Hooper to a record contract at the tight end position and drafted Harrison Bryant out of FAU.

Here at BoltBeat, our own Jason Reed wrote about why the Chargers should make a move for Njoku. While there is certainly some tangible appeal to him being on the Chargers, there is one option that is better when looking at all aspects through a more critical lens — Charles Clay.

Perhaps Clay isn’t the first player many would think of as the second tight end, but there are a few key reasons he’d be a good fit.

Reason #1: Relationship with Tyrod Taylor

He played with Tyrod Taylor in Buffalo for three years. Clay had over 520 yards in each of his seasons with the Bills and even led the team in receiving yards in 2017. It would be a pretty savvy move to bring in someone who Taylor is comfortable playing with on a cheap contract.

Clay averaged 79 targets per year in Buffalo. Hunter Henry will get the bulk of those targets in Los Angeles should he stay healthy this season, but it still makes sense to sign a target that Taylor is very familiar with. The team doesn’t have an established pass-catching tight end behind Henry.

It wouldn’t only benefit Taylor either, as Justin Herbert could very well take advantage of having a veteran tight end like Clay. In 2015, Clay was obviously a big part of bringing Taylor along in the first year he was starting. Even in the second tight end role he played in 2019, Clay put up very decent production playing with Arizona’s Kyler Murray.