The New England Patriots are in the process of fashioning their 2026 roster. They have made several moves in free agency. One of them was to sign free-agent tight end Julian Hill from Miami. Hill is essentially a blocker. With Austin Hooper having left in free agency, the need still exists for a more multifaceted tight end who can catch.
One possibility would be veteran free agent David Njoku from Cleveland, but NFL.com's Nick Shook has tabbed him a "best fit" for the Dolphins.
Mike Vrabel and his personnel team will still need to add a tight end who can haul in passes either in free agency or the draft. Njoku is a 29-year-old veteran, and while he wouldn't be a long-term answer at the position, he could step in now and maybe contribute some.
His 2025 season wasn't a stunner. He had only 33 catches for 293 yards and four touchdowns. Yet the nine-year veteran has caught as many as 81 in the 2023 season, and with Drake Maye at the helm of the offense, he might revert to that previous form.
David Njoku would be trouble for the Patriots defense in Miami
The last thing the Patriots need is to see divisional rivals adding top pieces to their offensive attacks. Njoku would be a nice addition to Miami's offense, though he'd be an even better one for Vrabel's team with Drake Maye throwing him the rock.
NFL.com' s Nick Shook thinks tight end Njoku would be a good fit for the Miami Dolphins.
"The Dolphins are rebuilding rapidly, and they are the most difficult team to project entering 2026, but there is one successful move from 2025 that new lever-pullers Jeff Hafley and Jon-Eric Sullivan can try to emulate. Fresh out of retirement, tight end Darren Waller spent multiple outings serving as Miami's primary source of offense last season.
Njoku is a less reliable pass-catcher than Waller but is good for similar highlight-reel plays. He has yet to find a home in free agency but carries value for a team seeking an end-zone pillar. Who better than the Dolphins, whose new QB1 (Malik Willis) has just six NFL starts under his belt?"
Njoku's signing with Miami would be a negative development in the Patriots' offseason. Not signing him may be a missed opportunity, and seeing him go to a divisional rival is always a headache.
Vrabel and his personnel team need to address the tight end position with more than just Hill. Top tight end Hunter Henry is 31, and they need a young replacement. Yet, if they can get Njoku on a reasonable short-term deal, he'd shore up the position, which remains a top Patriots' need.