If the Detroit Lions are serious about fully unlocking their offense under new coordinator Drew Petzing, there is one free agent who stands out as a near-perfect fit: David Njoku.
This isn’t just about adding another weapon. It’s about scheme, protection, and maximizing what Detroit already does best.
Why Drew Petzing’s Scheme Makes Njoku a Perfect Fit
Petzing is known for his heavy use of 13 personnel — one running back, three tight ends, and one wide receiver. It’s a formation built to stress defenses, force mismatches, and keep opponents guessing between power runs and play-action shots. To run that system at a high level, you need more than one reliable tight end. You need multiple players who can block, threaten the seam, win in the red zone, and stay on the field without tipping the play call.
That’s exactly what Njoku brings.
At 6-foot-4 and nearly 250 pounds, he has the size to play in-line and the athleticism to split out wide or work the slot. In a Petzing offense that values versatility and physicality from its tight ends, Njoku fits the vision almost too perfectly.
The Ideal Wingman for Sam LaPorta
Sam LaPorta is already one of the most dynamic tight ends in football, but asking him to carry a tight end–heavy system by himself isn’t ideal, especially with him still recovering from a back injury that could linger into the early part of the 2026 season.
Back injuries are unpredictable. Even when a player is cleared, managing workload early in the year becomes critical. Adding Njoku would allow the Lions to rotate snaps, protect LaPorta, and still deploy heavy packages without sacrificing explosiveness or creativity.
With both on the field, defenses would be forced to make impossible choices. Double LaPorta and leave Njoku one-on-one? Bracket Njoku and allow LaPorta to roam free? Either way, Detroit would be creating mismatches by design.
Red-Zone Dominance and Mismatch Nightmares
Njoku has long been a problem in the red zone, using his size, strength, and leaping ability to win contested catches. Pairing him with LaPorta in tight formations would give the Lions one of the most dangerous two-tight-end combinations in the NFL, especially off play-action where linebackers are frozen and safeties are forced to pick a side.
In a 13-personnel look, Njoku could line up as a wing, in the slot, or attached to the line, constantly shifting the strength of the formation and forcing defenses to reveal coverage.
Bottom Line
The Lions just hired an offensive coordinator who loves living in heavy tight end formations. They already have a star in Sam LaPorta. They also have a franchise tight end coming off a back injury and an offense built to punish mismatches.
All of that points to one conclusion:
David Njoku isn’t just a luxury — he’s a strategic fit.
If Detroit wants to fully unleash Drew Petzing’s scheme, protect LaPorta early in the season, and create one of the most matchup-proof offenses in the league, Njoku is the free agent tight end they must seriously consider.
