[sendtonews_embed video_id=”JRRass9Wej-712968-7498″]
The Baltimore Ravens saw a position of depth become a position of need when they traded tight end Hayden Hurst to the Atlanta Falcons this offseason. One of the strongest tight end rooms in the league was broken up and it has the Ravens looking for another quality piece entering the 2020 NFL Draft. However, a trade got Baltimore into this and a trade could get them out.
Even before the Tampa Bay Buccaneers acquired Rob Gronkowski from the New England Patriots, O.J. Howard was on the trading block, according to the Athletic’s Michael Lombardi. It’s a trade the Ravens should at least look into and, depending on the price, pull off.
Howard was the No. 19 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft out of Alabama. Though he hasn’t exactly lived up to that draft status, his career hasn’t been a total bust. He’s caught 94 passes for 1,456 yards and 12 touchdowns throughout his three years with Tampa Bay. That isn’t otherworldly production, but it’s not anything to scoff at either.
There’s a reason Howard was taken so high in the draft, even if he hasn’t panned out perfectly. He’s extremely athletic and a proficient route runner. While he’s struggled with drops at times, he’s also flashed the potential to be an elite receiving target as well. He might not be a great blocker but he’s been used in that role with the Buccaneers at times as well. He’d likely have a similar role as Mark Andrews in Baltimore, which could be deadly in this offense.
With Gronkowski now in Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers have killed much of their trade value in Howard. It seems obvious that he’s on his way out now and that could benefit the Ravens. Though Baltimore got a second-round pick in return for Hurst, Howard could come a lot cheaper right ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft. A late fourth-round pick might be enough to get the trade done, which would be a small amount to pay for a proven player, especially with a lackluster draft class at tight end and an even weaker free-agent market as Baltimore’s other options.
As long as the Ravens pay less in a trade for Howard than they received for Hurst, it would be a net positive for them. They’d have replaced a starting-quality tight end with a starting-quality tight end while gaining extra draft capital in the process. That’s the type of magic we’ve come to expect from Baltimore’s front office.
There’s no guarantee the Ravens even view Howard as a trade target or that he’ll be traded at all. However, with a clear need for another tight end, Howard is the proven and potentially cheap answer here.
[vertical-gallery id=44750]