O.J. Howard trade rumors: 5 Teams that should deal with Buccaneers

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 18: Tight end O.J. Howard #80 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers carries the ball against the New York Giants during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium on November 18, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The New York Giants won 38-35. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 18: Tight end O.J. Howard #80 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers carries the ball against the New York Giants during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium on November 18, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The New York Giants won 38-35. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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O.J. Howard, NFL Trade Rumors, Dallas Cowboys (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
O.J. Howard, NFL Trade Rumors, Dallas Cowboys (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

5. Dallas Cowboys

While I believe Blake Jarwin could become a reliable tight end under Mike McCarthy, grabbing a playmaker like O.J. Howard would be too good of an opportunity to pass up for the Dallas Cowboys. After Jason Witten‘s departure, the Cowboys could use reinforcements at the tight end position, as Jarwin is the only tight end on the Cowboys’ current roster to have caught double-digit passes last season.

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The tight end position is very important to the Cowboys, as they had two tight ends on the field more than 25 percent of the time last year and needed physical receivers to make catches over the middle of the field.

We’ve seen how Dak Prescott‘s development necessitates a safety blanket at the position, as the 37-year-old Witten caught the third-most passes (63) on the team. When Witten retired for the 2018 season, the Cowboys’ tight ends only caught a combined 68 passes.

McCarthy’s offense has thrived with above-average pass-catching tight ends in the past, as Jermichael Finley put up three seasons with 55+ catches and 650+ yards in his six years with Green Bay. O.J. Howard would be a much-needed addition to the tight end room, as his 6-6, 250-pound frame would give Prescott a solid red-zone threat and big-bodied target.

The Cowboys could likely get by with Jarwin as their featured tight end, but Howard would be a worthwhile gamble with high upside potential. The former Alabama product could blossom into a top-10 tight end with an efficient passer like Prescott and under a tight end-friendly scheme in Dallas.