Tampa Bay Buccaneers: What might O.J. Howard bring back in a trade?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking to trade O.J. Howard but what can they expect to get back in return for the tight end if they deal him?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are expected to trade O.J. Howard before the end of next weekend’s draft. Michael Lombardi of The Athletic said as much during his most recent podcast. There is speculation that the Bucs are using Howard as a trade chip to help move up in the first round of next week’s draft. If this is their intent, what can the team expect to receive back in any Howard trade?
The easy starting point for the Bucs will probably the trade agreed to by their division rival the Atlanta Falcons for Baltimore Ravens tight end Hayden Hurst in March. The Falcons sent a second and fifth-round pick in this upcoming draft in exchange for Hurst and a fourth-round pick.
Like Howard, Hurst is a former first-round draft pick who hasn’t completely lived up to expectations. The Buccaneers could look for similar especially considering Howard has shown more to this point in his career and he is considered to still have more upside.
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The Buccaneers were rumored to have tried to trade Howard at the trade deadline during last season but they wanted a second-round pick for him. Since they were unable to make a deal happen, it would be reasonable to suspect they will not be able to get a second-round pick for him now without including something similar to the fourth-round pick Baltimore threw in for the Hurst trade.
Another landmark tight end trade was when the New Orleans Saints traded Jimmy Graham to the Seattle Seahawks back in 2015. Seattle sent their first-round pick in the upcoming draft along with Pro-Bowl center Max Unger in a swap for Graham and a fourth-round pick. At 28 years old, Graham was older than Howard, but he was an All-Pro tight end and was in the argument for best receiving tight end in the NFL.
There is no comparison between Graham and Howard. As it is, the trade ended up working out better for New Orleans than Seattle as Graham first was injured and then never truly recovered or clicked with the Seahawks. Seattle was also trading for a known commodity while anyone trading for Howard is trading for untapped potential.
The Buccaneers could also try to swing a trade for a proven piece along with draft picks similar to what New Orleans received for Graham. In this type of scenario, perhaps they can trade Howard and a later pick such as their compensatory fourth-round pick (139th overall) or their fifth-round pick (161st overall) for another player of use and a second or third-round pick.
It is well known the Bucs are looking for a receiving running back to help ease Tom Brady into his new offense. Perhaps they can swing Howard for a name such as Duke Johnson in Houston, James White in New England or Jamaal Williams in Green Bay. These are also three teams with a need at tight end.
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O.J. Howard is still an intriguing talent to many teams in the NFL. He has averaged just over 31 catches in his three seasons in the league but has also yet to play a full season. His value is somewhat diminished due to the Bucs putting him on the trading block for the second time in and the constant public criticisms by head coach Bruce Arians. If they are intent on trading him, they may have to get creative to maximize their return.