With O.J. Howard reportedly being put on the trade block, these five teams should make a call to Tampa Bay to trade for the former first-round pick.
O.J. Howard has been subject to trade speculation all offseason. Despite his college production, measurables, and innate talent, he just hasn’t clicked with his head coach Bruce Arians. Last season, Howard only mustered 34 receptions for 459 yards and one touchdown, despite the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ranking first in passing yards and fourth in pass attempts in 2019.
Howard was even benched several times for missing his blocking assignments and dropping several passes. After a disappointing third season, many pundits speculated Howard could be traded to the New England Patriots and become Tom Brady‘s next “Rob Gronkowski.” However, after Brady elected to leave Foxborough for Tampa Bay in free agency, it was presumed Howard would see a career resurgence alongside Brady and realize his first-round potential.
For some reason, it appears Arians isn’t willing to let Howard have that chance. According to Michael Lombardi, Howard is now firmly on the trade block and could be moved during the 2020 NFL Draft.
The #Buccaneers are looking to trade former 1st round pick, TE O.J. Howard. They are looking for a second round pick according to @mlombardiNFL
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) April 16, 2020
The #Patriots were reportedly interested in trading for Howard last season.
I, for one, don’t particularly understand why the Buccaneers would move Howard before seeing what he could do with Brady. He gives their aging quarterback another talented weapon over the middle of the field and is still being paid a rookie salary. He may not be heavily utilized in Arians’ system, but he still has the potential to be an elite weapon at the tight end position.
Nonetheless, it looks as though the Buccaneers’ loss could be another franchise’s gain. Let’s take a look at five teams that should give Tampa Bay a call and try to pry away O.J. Howard.