Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Top 5 players currently on the roster
By Dylan Grimm
TE O.J. Howard
O.J. Howard came to the Buccaneers by way of the Alabama Crimson Tide and was regarded as one of the most well rounded tight ends to ever be in the draft. With such a high draft grade and being physically imposing at 6’6 and 250 pounds, Howard was a lock for the first round and the Bucs did just that, taking him seventh overall in the 2017 NFL Draft.
At the time the pick raised a few eyebrows since the Bucs had a productive tight end in Cameron Brate and had other glaring needs to address. While tight ends tend to not be productive for a few seasons Howard has shown some serious flashes and upside in the 24 games he has played in. Even though Howard and Brate share targets he has totaled 60 receptions for 997 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Howard has had to deal with inconsistent quarterback play from Ryan Fitzpatrick and Jameis Winston as well as a late season injury in 2018. Year-three is usually the year we see highly drafted tight ends make a jump on the field. With Bruce Arians calling the shots and Jameis Winston finally approaching the game seriously Howard is poised for a massive year and will look to solidify himself as one of the league’s elite tight ends.