O.J. Howard, TE, Buccaneers
Like Fournette, Howard was a celebrated 2017 first-round draft pick who has played reasonably well but hasn’t lit up the league as hoped. Howard has been good, consistently good in his three seasons.
After catching 34 passes for 459 yards and a touchdown, the Bucs might have concluded that level of good isn’t good enough for Tom Brady. Cameron Brate has proven a better red zone threat, and the loaded WR corps leaves little room for a receiving-only No. 2 tight end.
The Lions don’t have an urgent need for a No. 2 TE to play with T.J. Hockenson. But Howard is a distinct upgrade at that spot over Jesse James, who badly struggled in his first season in Detroit. Howard is a much more dynamic receiving presence and their Pro Football Focus blocking grades are near equal the last two years.
It might seem odd to bail on James in favor of Howard after a year, but no more odd than the Buccaneers giving up on the 25-year-old Howard after just signing Tom Brady with a very limited window for winning.
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