NFL Draft 2017: Tampa Bay Buccaneers first-round grade
By John Buhler
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Alabama Crimson Tide tight end O.J. Howard at No. 19 in the 2017 NFL Draft. Here is the first-round grade for Tampa Bay.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers stood pat at No. 19 in the 2017 NFL Draft and got themselves a fantastic player with that mid-round selection. Tampa Bay opted to get quarterback Jameis Winston another reliable target in the form of Alabama Crimson Tide tight end O.J. Howard.
Howard has the potential to be the next Greg Olsen in the NFL. He could be a multi-time Pro Bowler at tight end for Tampa Bay. Howard can do it all at the position, but did disappear at times in the Alabama offense. However, he did thrive in winning time, making big plays during Alabama’s last two trips to the College Football Playoff.
Tampa Bay could have gone with a few other positions besides tight end at No. 19. Safety could have been a good pick. The Buccaneers also needed help in the running game and up front in protection.
Essentially, Tampa Bay head coach Dirk Koetter got himself his own version of Tony Gonzalez from when he used to be the offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons. Gonzalez could do a bit of everything in Atlanta. Look for Howard to do big things in Koetter’s Air Coryell in Tampa Bay.
Seeing Howard drop all the way to No. 19 is somewhat surprising. Alabama players had to wait until No. 16 before one of their own’s number was called when cornerback Marlon Humphrey went to the Baltimore Ravens.
Next: 2017 NFL Draft: Instant grades
Howard is the third Crimson Tide player to go in the first round, joining Humphrey and defensive end Jonathan Allen, who went No. 17 to the Washington Redskins. This could be one of the best picks Tampa Bay has ever made on the offensive side of the ball. It really comes down to how much Howard loves to play football.