The Pewter Plank
FanSided

4 players who could step up as third receiver for Buccaneers

By Jamil King

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 21: O.J. Howard #80 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signals a first down after making a 24-yard reception during the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns on October 2, 2018 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers won 26-23 in overtime. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 21: O.J. Howard #80 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signals a first down after making a 24-yard reception during the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns on October 2, 2018 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers won 26-23 in overtime. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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ORCHARD PARK, NY – OCTOBER 22: O.J. Howard #80 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter of an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills on October 22, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY – OCTOBER 22: O.J. Howard #80 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter of an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills on October 22, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

TE O.J. Howard

Has anyone seen this man? Tight end O.J. Howard was last seen catching a foul ball at the Rays’ playoff game showing off his hands, but those hands have not been seen on Sundays while wearing the pewter and red.

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Howard is a clear matchup threat, but has yet to be unleashed under the new regime as Arians and Leftwich have struggled to get him involved to this point in the season. Howard could be used in multiple ways and should be this team’s third-best option, by far.

At this point, the Bucs should find ways to get him the ball, lining him out in the redzone just as the Saints did with Jared Cook on a touchdown on Sunday against the Bucs. That means moving him around, and using him in a variety of way; Howard is on the field for the majority of the snaps, but the Bucs are asking him to stay in and block more than anything this season.

How about moving him to the outside for a play and throwing Godwin in the slot? How about outing O.J. himself in the slot for a few plays and see how the defense reacts to a massive man split out as another talented receiver? They could also put him in the full-back slot and run play action and throw him the underneath route and let him run upfield.

Juice has the athleticism to be used in ways that Rob Gronkowski, Jimmy Graham, and Travis Kelce were and are used. With the team in need of another playmaker downfield, they have one in the house just waiting to be unleashed.

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