Tag: O.J. Howard

Bills cut former Bucs TE O.J. Howard

The Buffalo Bills have released former Tampa Bay Buccaneers first-round pick O.J. Howard

The Buffalo Bills have released former Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end O.J. Howard, per multiple reports.

Howard, the No. 19 overall pick by the Bucs in the 2017 NFL draft, signed a one-year deal with the Bills in free agency, most of which was guaranteed.

Even with his release, the Bucs are still expected to receive a seventh-round compensatory pick in the 2023 NFL draft for losing him in free agency this offseason.

Despite the loss of Rob Gronkowski to retirement, the Bucs are unlikely to pursue a reunion with Howard, having signed veteran Kyle Rudolph and drafted a pair of promising rookies in Cade Otton and Ko Kieft.

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Dawson Knox on O.J. Howard: ‘It’s going to be a nightmare’ for defenses

Dawson Knox on O.J. Howard: ‘It’s going to be a nightmare’ for defenses:

Bills TE Dawson Knox had a breakout year in 2021, taking the next step many had been looking for since he was selected by Buffalo with the 96th overall pick in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Ole Miss.

At 6’4 and 254 lb with 33 and 1/2 arms and 9 3/4 hands, the 25-year-old is looking to build on a campaign last season in which he broke the Bills single-season franchise record for touchdowns by a TE, finishing with nine total scoring catches on the year.

Even still, while addressing the press this week Knox made it clear he “Still got stuff to prove”.

What’s more, he spoke about one of the Bills newest additions to his position group and how they might play a role in that on-field production.

“It’s fun having guys like O.J. in the room, there’s going to be a lot of diversity, a lot of versatility with the position now”, Knox said during his media vailability.

During free agency this offseason, GM Brandon Beane added TE O.J. Howard to the depth chart behind Knox.

And the new Bills TE does offer some size.

At 27 years old, the former first-round pick in 2017 by the Bucs is 6’6 and 251 lbs with 33 and 3/4 arms and 10 hands.

“I mean he’s a freak athlete,” Knox added. “He makes me feel small, I mean the dude’s like you know 6’6, his arms are massive. Just having another weapon like that’s just gonna make us that much harder to stop, so I think he’s just going to push me to be better too I think.”

Howard’s development at the pro level may have been stifled once he saw less on-field gameplay experience behind Buffalo native Rob Gronkowski in Tampa. With the Bills focus on player development in Buffalo and a team-friendly one-year pact between them,  he will have that chance to take the next step as well.

“The better the room is as a whole, the better each individual is going to be as well,” Knox continued. “But it’s going to be fun to bring us in, run the ball some, then spread us out, get us good matchups on linebackers

Howard has the potential to compliment and offer position depth behind Knox, who has developed better movement and skills at the NFL level.

Howard can have difficulty on routes getting a jump and separation on defenders due to a lack of quickness in and out of breaks.

While he’ll be challenged to improve in those areas, one of the things that he offers the Bills offense and new OC Ken Dorsey is the ability to run more two-plus TE sets.

Per ESPN Stats & Information, the Bills ran only 100 plays with two-or-more tight ends during the 2021 season which was the lowest in the NFL.

Knox is confident Howard can be the addition that changes that.

“It’s just an extra piece that you know is going to be a nightmare to defend for defenses right? Oh yeah, we can’t wait. It’s going to be a nightmare for a lot of defenses.”

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New Bills players who can have immediate impacts in 2022

New #Bills players who can have immediate impacts in 2022:

Buffalo Bills GM Brandon Beane has been active throughout the offseason, adding fresh talent and new faces to help elevate the team’s roster.

The Bills have become a breakout squad in the NFL thanks to Beane’s roster building and the player development of the coaching staff.

Still, hurdles remain between Buffalo and a Super Bowl championship. And adding players who figure to contribute towards overcoming the obstacles that remain is just what Beane has been doing this offseason.

The GM has been busy in free agency adding veteran pieces like Von Miller and prospective first-year contributors through the NFL Draft like Kaiir Elam.

The additions have been met with fairly good reception by fans and the media, with one ESPN analyst even going so far as to say that the Bills 2022 NFL draft class will make the biggest impact.

With that here is a look at which new players could have an immediate impact for Buffalo in 2022…

9 free agent TEs the Colts should consider in 2022

Taking a look at 9 TEs the Colts should consider in free agency this offseason.

The Indianapolis Colts enter the offseason with the tight end position being one of the biggest question marks on the roster in 2022.

Given the chance of veteran Jack Doyle retiring with one year left on his contract and the fact that Mo Alie-Cox is set to be a free agent, the Colts may have a lot of work to do at tight end.

Now, there’s always the chance that Doyle runs it back for one more season. And the Colts have expressed interest in re-signing Alie-Cox. So the room could look the same, more or less, going into 2022 with Kylen Granson entering his second season as the H-back.

But that shouldn’t stop the Colts from pursuing better options at the position if they become available. While Doyle and Alie-Cox are solid blockers, the tight end room was not nearly productive enough in the passing game. The entire group recorded 64 receptions for 724 yards and seven touchdowns.

We know the Colts won’t overspend in free agency but fortunately for them, the options that are likely available don’t appear to be ones that will break the bank.

Here are nine tight ends the Colts should consider signing in free agency in 2022:

Be sure to check out our free agency pieces on other positions!

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6 tight ends the Panthers should consider in free agency

It’s not at the top of the Panthers’ to-do list, but the TE position needs some added juice in 2022. Here are six cost-effective options they could target in free agency.

The Carolina Panthers and head coach Matt Rhule need a tight end! They need a tight end!

But seriously, they really do.

Since the departure of franchise great Greg Olsen, the Panthers have had some frighteningly barren production out of the position. Over the past four (yes, four) seasons, Carolina tight ends have totaled 206 receptions for 2,076 yards and 13 touchdowns.

While it’s not totally for a lack of talent or effort, as the franchise has played a sick game of musical chairs under center since then, there’s no doubt the Panthers could see some improvement in that spot. So, here are six cost-effective options they should consider in free agency.

Buccaneers TE O.J. Howard would be intriguing free agent target for Texans

The Houston Texans can add an interesting element at tight end with O.J. Howard, who is set to hit free agency.

The Houston Texans in a very familiar position this offseason where, yet again, the team needs to find another tight end. Brevin Jordan is coming off a promising rookie season but is the only tight end under contract as Jordan Akins and Pharaoh Brown are both set to enter free agency and very possibly leave Houston.

The position group has been a bit of a revolving door in Houston with numerous failed draft selections that come to mind, most recently 2019 third round selection Kahale Warring who caught a grand total of four catches over his Texans tenure. Akins was a 2018 third-round selection and, going further back, C.J. Fiedorowicz was a third-round selection in 2014. The Texans have had a really hard time finding a reliable tight end since the departure of Owen Daniels in 2013.

Brevin Jordan caught 20 catches for 178 yards and three touchdowns during his rookie campaign. The limited production came in spite of an incredibly anemic passing offense that frequently featured conservative game plans from former offensive coordinator Tim Kelly. His future is promising, but Houston has a responsibility to continue taking dart throws at the position if they are to help Davis Mills become the best quarterback he can.

Enter impending free agent, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ O.J. Howard

Coming out of the University of Alabama at 6-6, 251 pounds, Howard was the unanimous No. 1 TE in the 2017 draft and selected 19th overall by the Buccaneers as an additional weapon to pair with Mike Evans for Jameis Winston.

Howard caught six and five touchdowns during his first two seasons while his targets increased from 39 to 48 to 53 from 2017 to 2019. Interestingly, of Howard’s 26 receptions as a rookie, 20 of those went for first downs. He was a talented young player who had chemistry with Winston and clearly showed an upward trend. All of this happening at a tight end position that often takes years for young players to master.

In March of 2020, Tom Brady left his illustrious career with the New England Patriots behind to write a new chapter in Tampa Bay. Everyone knows the story. This is where things unfortunately turned for the worse for Howard. Trade speculation began almost immediately.

Future Hall of Famer Rob Gronkowski exited retirement to join Brady and immediately inserted himself as No. 1 on the team’s depth chart. Brady, notorious for preferring veteran players as receivers, formed a quick connection with Cameron Brate as the team’s second tight end.

Suddenly, Howard was left out to dry behind Evans, Chris Godwin, Gronkowski, Brate and eventually Antonio Brown. There were too many mouths to feed in Tampa to make an impact and this problem was only furthered when Howard tore his Achilles in October of 2020. After missing the rest of the eventual Super Bowl winning campaign, Howard saw 21 targets for 14 receptions and one touchdown during the 2021 campaign. All were the lowest totals of his career.

Howard now prepares to enter 2022 as a free agent in what is a relatively deep, although not top heavy, free agent class that features names like Dalton Schultz, Zach Ertz, Mike Gesicki and David Njoku. His injury history and unproven production make a multi-year contract unlikely.

This is where Houston may be a perfect marriage.

The Texans represent an opportunity for ample playing time where Howard’s talent would immediately slot him into the No. 2 or potentially even the No. 1 tight end role depending on his performance at camp. Mills showed enough promise during his rookie season that it shouldn’t be viewed as a negative toward any free agent’s ability to produce numbers. Additionally, new offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton is well-regarded around the league.

Howard would be a great upgrade in Houston’s tight ends room and represents the sort of low-risk, high-reward player that are needed to accelerate rebuilds. The relatively cheap investment in free agency could also stop the Texans from using yet another high draft pick at the position and to address holes on the defensive side of the ball that will need to be addressed if Lovie Smith is to be successful.

General Manager Nick Caserio has a responsibility to surround Mills with as many weapons as possible entering the 2022 season while also addressing numerous other deficiencies on the roster. Howard would be a great fit without sacrificing any significant draft capital or salary.

5 Buccaneers to watch in Week 10 vs. Washington

Here are five Buccaneers to watch this Sunday against Washington.

The Washington Football Team looks to avoid a five-game losing streak on Sunday when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers return to FedEx Field. Remember, the Bucs were at FedEx Field in January for the NFL Wild-Card game, which they won, 31-23.

Defeating the Bucs won’t be easy for Washington, even if players such as tight end Rob Gronkowski and wide receivers Antonio Brown and Chris Godwin cannot play. Remember, the Bucs still have Tom Brady.

As Washington prepared to face Tampa Bay on Sunday, here are five Buccaneers to watch in Week 10.

 

Trade scenarios fantasy footballers should hope to see come true

Looking at possible trades that would pique fantasy interest.

Every year, an NFL player gets traded into a situation that makes fantasy football players smile from the exciting possibility of “what could be.” In today’s exercise of wishful thinking, we’ll take a stroll through the proverbial streets of some hypothetical scenarios that would offer an avenue for worthwhile fantasy returns.

You’ll notice the most discussed trade commodity of the offseason is not included, and the reason why is easy: The best possible place for Aaron Rodgers’ fantasy value is right where he currently plays.

Los Angeles Rams backfield targets

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Benny Snell

The third-year back has seen mild success through limited action in the Steel City, mostly due to injuries suffered by the recently departed James Conner. A fourth-rounder in the 2019 draft, this Kentucky product has the chops to be a fantasy force, in the right situation. The Steelers’ line problems last year didn’t help, and the offense was largely without Ben Roethlisberger the prior year. Given the loss of Cam Akers (Achilles) and obvious need for a powerback to pair with Darrell Henderson’s versatility, Snell should come on the cheap following the first-round selection of Najee Harris in 2021’s draft.

San Francisco 49ers RB Raheem Mostert

Speed kills, and LA could use more of it out of the backfield. Henderson ran a 4.49-second 40, so he’s not exactly a turtle, but Mostert (4.32) would bring world-class wheels to the backfield. A deal works for both parties, since the 49ers are rather stocked in the backfield, with Mostert entering the final year of his contract, and LA has no one with a single NFL touch behind Henderson. Mostert could come in as a “1b” to the third-year Henderson, which also would be a plus — it appears less is more when it comes to Mostert’s durability.

QB Deshaun Watson to Denver Broncos

This one presumes Watson will avoid any serious discipline in 2021, so bear that in mind. Off-the-field issues aside, Watson wants out of Houston. He is quite capable of getting the most from a receiving corps and offering bonus value with his legs, but a move to Denver would present a much brighter outlook. Not only will he be happy, the Broncos are drastically more talented than the Texans, and the offensive system is proven to produce — something the jury is still in deliberation about regarding new Houston coach David Culley having no experience as an offensive coordinator in the NFL. The Broncos provide considerable talent among the wide receivers on all three levels of the passing tree, along with a blossoming tight end and pair of quality backs for balance behind a reasonably good offensive line.

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TE Zach Ertz to Indianapolis Colts

Several teams have been floated about as possible destinations for Ertz, including Chicago, Jacksonville, Tennessee and Buffalo, whereas the Colts would be the best landing spot for fantasy purposes. Indy head coach Frank Reich has a relationship with Ertz. The trade for QB Carson Wentz earlier in the offseason would reunite a pitch-and-catch duo with established chemistry. Indianapolis needs at least one more target in the passing game, with all due respect to Jack Doyle. The receiving corps has arguably more questions than obvious answers at the moment, and the system caters to targeting the tight end position.

TE O.J. Howard to Tennessee Titans

This one gets prefaced with my love for Anthony Firkser as a sleeper remains strong if Howard isn’t added via trade. Let’s go with the presumption of Firkser being a better backup than starter in the eyes of the brass, leading them to inquiring about Howard. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end is buried in the target pecking order as he returns from a torn Achilles tendon, an injury that isn’t particularly daunting for a player at his position. Howard, an Alabama product, played with Titans back Derrick Henry and works out with him, giving Howard an ally with the ear of the front office. Furthermore, newly added receiver Julio Jones also played for the school. Tennessee is in win-now mode in many ways, and one more talented pass-catching outlet could put this offense over the top.

WR N’Keal Harry to Atlanta Falcons

No one is clamoring for Harry to make his way onto their fantasy roster, but everyone with an open mind should want to see him get out of New England. It’s painfully obvious he doesn’t fit the system, even when healthy, and we saw few signs of chemistry with Cam Newton last year. A 2019 first-round pick, Harry needs a change of scenery to restart his career as a possession receiver at just 23 years old. The Falcons make some sense for Harry as a new employer. The trade of Julio Jones opens a wealth of targets. Calvin Ridley is more than ready to be a true WR1. This year’s fourth overall pick, Kyle Pitts, is a generational talent at tight end, but rookies at his position have rarely produced significant fantasy returns. Even though Russell Gage was a bright spot last year when Jones was injured, there’s room for a chain-moving type, like what Harry should be in a perfect world.

Watch: Derrick Henry working out with O.J. Howard down in Mexico

Most people take it easy on vacation, but not our King.

The entire NFL is on a summer break after the conclusion of minicamp and before the start of training camp in late July, but don’t tell Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry that.

Henry remains hard at work during the dead period of the NFL offseason, as evidenced by the video he posted of himself working out down in Mexico at the famed Tulum Jungle Gym.

Most people take it easy on vacation, but not our King.

Making things a bit more interesting is the fact that Henry is getting his work in with Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end and former Alabama teammate, O.J. Howard. Take a look (H/T @TitansDraftTape for the videos).

Why is Howard’s presence the least bit interesting? Well, the Titans could use more help at tight end ahead of the 2021 season and the 26-year-old has been a candidate to be traded in the past.

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Adding to that, the last time Henry worked out with a notable player — Julio Jones — that player ended up in Nashville via trade. Perhaps we need to get wide receiver A.J. Brown on another recruiting video, also.

Of course, we don’t want to read too much into Howard and Henry working out together. After all, we already mentioned their Crimson Tide connection and the pair are known to be friends, so it’s far more likely this is just two buddies hanging out together.

Furthermore, even if Henry is in Howard’s ear about coming to Nashville, the Buccaneers have the ultimate say as to where he goes if they do indeed decide to trade him, which is not guaranteed by any stretch.

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Ranking the top 5 tight ends in the NFC South: A new champion emerges

The tight end spot hasn’t been a bright one for the Carolina Panthers since the glory days of Greg Olsen.

Once upon a time, this division was stacked with the best of the best at the tight end position. It was when Greg Olsen of the Carolina Panthers, Tony Gonzalez of the Atlanta Falcons and Jimmy Graham of the New Orleans Saints roamed the NFC South like dinosaurs, leaving destruction in their path as they pleased.

Well, there must’ve been a meteor, because tight end talent has just about gone extinct in this division.

Not to say the teams of the NFC South are throwing out any old bums onto the field, but you won’t find a Travis Kelce, a George Kittle or a Darren Waller anywhere around these parts. So, even with the Panthers having seen the league’s worst production from the position of late, can any of their tight ends crack this installment of our rankings?

Hold on to your butts . . .