What will O.J. Howard’s role with the Buccaneers be in 2017?
Back on draft night, the sound of Buccaneers fans gasping was palpable. Why was it so pronounced? Because nobody believed that the team would have the chance to acquire a talent like O.J. Howard with the 19th pick. Surely he was going to be off the board by the time the Bucs went on the clock. Low and behold, he was available, and when the announcement was made, Bucs fans went nuts. Who could blame them? He was the highest graded tight end in the draft.
So Howard joins a Bucs offense that already boasted weapons and is looking to make the jump to that next level on 2017. Mike Evans was already here and they added DeSean Jackson. There is also Adam Humphries in the slot. Cameron Brate is an established tight end that tied for the league lead in touchdown receptions for his position. In short, it’s a crowded room and there is only one football to go around. So, the question is…
What will Howard’s role be? Speculate with me.
If you take a look at his stats, you will be underwhelmed:
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However, keep the Alabama scheme in mind when reading these numbers. Nick Saban is not a coach that is going to throw it all over the field. But, when he decided to open up the passing game, Howard exceled. Over the last two championship games, Howard averaged 4.5 receptions, 157 yards and 1.5 touchdowns per contest. When given the chance to make plays, he showed he can do exactly that.
But Howard is not a “one-trick pony”. An Alabama fan told me that Howard might even be a better blocker than a receiver. The numbers bear that out. According to Pro Football Focus, Howard’s pass blocking grade was 69.3, and his run blocking grade has gone up steadily over the last three years to an 81.5 last season. For perspective, 81.5 would have led NFL tight ends by a wide margin.
Take a look at the bottom line evaluation by Pro Football Focus:
"Howard may end up being a better pro than he was a college player based on opportunity alone. He has the size, speed, hands and feel to be effective in the passing game while doubling as a strong run-blocker if placed in the right scheme. Howard’s ability to create mismatches in the passing game will make him an early target and potential Day 1 starter."
Last season, the Bucs used Cameron Brate as their primary tight end. Brate was on the field for 705 snaps, Luke Stocker was involved in 320 snaps, and Alan Cross on for 138 snaps (per Pro Football Focus). Brate was primarily in on passing plays (469 out of 705 snaps), Stocker primarily on running plays (204 out of 320 snaps), and Cross was nearly down middle (67 run, 71 pass snaps out of 138).
Other than Cross, the current crop of tight ends had clear roles. With his ability is a blocker, however, Howard projects differently. However, I don’t believe he will be the center of attention right away. His ability to block will help but his role will still need time to develop. Why? Because Jameis Winston has been dependent upon Mike Evans for so long, breaking that habit will be hard. When it comes to game situations, he is going to go where he trusts, and that, in the early going will be the more established players.
He will work his way into being on the field as an every-down player. Howard will just have to grind it out as a blocker in the early going and make the most of the opportunities he does get. Don’t expect to see Howard all over the field in game one, look for him to be introduced slowly.
Here is a stats projection that is reasonable:
- 40 receptions, 650 yards, four touchdowns
It may be a little understated, but this gives O.J. Howard room to grow into his role as a rookie.
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What do you see for O.J. Howard as a rookie? Let us know in the comments…