2017 NFL Mock Draft: Clemson stars dominate
By Brad Weiss
O.J. Howard
TE, Alabama
During the 2015 NFL season, the New York Giants defense was atrocious. Despite having some incredible playmakers on offense, the Giants failed to make the playoffs once again, and it inevitably led to head coach Tom Coughlin being shown the door. Coughlin’s offensive coordinator took over for the 2016 season, and an improved defense helped lead the Giants to their first playoff appearance in five years.
Head coach Ben McAdoo was very successful in his first season as the man in charge in New York, though his team did not play up to par in their Wild Card game against the Green Bay Packers. The offense looked a bit vanilla, as it had all season long, and the defense could not hold the Pack off for four quarters. Alabama tight end O.J. Howard would bring a new wrinkle to the offense next season, replacing mediocre players like Will Tye and Larry Donnell.
Howard was not showcased enough during his time with Alabama, but did have his best games on the biggest stage. He was the MVP of the 2016 National Championship Game, helping lead his team to a victory over the Clemson Tigers. He is going to be a game-changer at the next level, possessing the kind of skills you need from the tight end position nowadays. The Giants have not had a good pass-catching tight end since Jeremy Shockey, so bringing in Howard seems like a no-brainer.