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2017 NFL Mock Draft: Bears tap Deshaun Watson

By Brad Weiss

Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tight end O.J. Howard (88) runs a touchdown during the third quarter against the Clemson Tigers in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tight end O.J. Howard (88) runs a touchdown during the third quarter against the Clemson Tigers in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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O.J. Howard

TE, Alabama

The Dallas Cowboys were one of the feel-good stories of the NFL season, as they utilized a rookie quarterback to perfection. When starting quarterback Tony Romo was hurt during the preseason, it looked like the Cowboys’ season was over, but Dak Prescott put together one of the more impressive rookie seasons in recent memory. He teamed with fellow rookie Ezekiel Elliott to lead the Cowboys to the No. 1 seed in the NFC Playoffs, though the season ended with a heartbreaking loss to the Green Bay Packers in the Divisional Round.

Still, the Cowboys are one of those franchises who should be good for a very long time, espicially considering most of their star players are very young. One position that is getting up there in age is tight end, where future Hall of Fame player Jason Witten’s best seasons may be behind him. The Cowboys need to think about the future of the tight end position, and O.J. Howard from Alabama would be a perfect fit for their system.

Howard was not used nearly enough at Alabama, where Nick Saban installs a run-first mentality on offense. Still, Howard showed up big in the brightest of lights, earning the MVP Award of the Crimson Tide’s National Championship win in 2016. He has incredible size and speed for a tight end, and with a wide receiver body, he could be a game-changer for the Cowboys for the foreseeable future.

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