Three years ago, O.J. Howard was declared the Buccaneers’ tight end of the future. Now, the former first-round pick’s professional future has never looked so uncertain.
Following Tuesday’s stunning trade which pulled All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski away from the Patriots and out of retirement — reuniting the 30-year-old with his former quarterback Tom Brady in Tampa Bay — Howard may never get the opportunity to catch a pass from the greatest quarterback of all-time.
With a surplus of tight ends capable of starting in the NFL — including Cameron Brate — the Buccaneers may dangle Howard in an attempt to land more draft picks in this week’s draft. According to Michael Lombardi of The Athletic, the Buccaneers are attempting to trade the 25-year-old and former 19th overall pick, who most famously led Alabama to the 2015 national championship, while recording 208 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the 45-40 title game win over Clemson.
One potential trade could send Howard to the Patriots, according to CBS Sports, after New England fielded one of its worst receiving corps in two decades without Gronkowski. It’s also possible that Howard could remain with the Bucs, with the Tampa Bay Times reporting that the team is comfortable using Gronkowski and Howard in two-tight-end formations, unless they are blown away by an offer for Howard.
Howard has yet to fully realize his potential, having played 38 of 48 possible games in his first three seasons. In 2018, Howard caught a career-high 24 passes for 565 yards and five touchdowns in 10 games, before suffering a season-ending foot/ankle injury. Last season, Howard had 34 receptions for 459 yards and one touchdown.