Seattle Seahawks: 5 Players to target at 2019 NFL Trade Deadline
By Samuel Teets
2. O.J. Howard, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Losing Will Dissly will have significant consequences for the rest of Seattle’s season, especially since they traded Nick Vannett. Even though the team signed Luke Willson, Dissly being done for the year is a massive blow. Before his injury, Dissly was third on the team in receiving yards and first in receiving touchdowns.
O.J. Howard has a lot of potential but he hasn’t realized it in Tampa Bay. The third-year tight end is off to the worst start of a season in his career. Through six games, Howard is averaging 29.3 yards per game. That shouldn’t wipe out the success he had last year when he averaged 56.5 yards per game.
Howard is a strong blocking tight end. That fits perfectly with the offensive system the Seahawks use. That’s why players like Dissly, Vannett, and Willson have worked with Seattle’s offense in the past. The Seahawks need a third significant receiving option. If Howard can offer that and block, then he’s a perfect target.
Considering Howard still has the cheap fourth year of his rookie deal coming and then the more expensive fifth-year option, he would be a valuable pickup for the next year and a half. Then, if the team isn’t satisfied, they can just decline the fifth-year option.
With Tampa Bay’s current predicament at quarterback and their 2-4 record, the asking price for Howard will be more reasonable than some of the players we’ve covered so far. Or so you would think. However, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reported that the move is unlikely to happen. As I said earlier though, it all comes down to the right price.