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NFL Draft 2017: 5 best picks of first round

By John Buhler

Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Corey Davis (Western Michigan) poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell as he is selected as the number 5 overall pick to the Tennessee Titans in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Corey Davis (Western Michigan) poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell as he is selected as the number 5 overall pick to the Tennessee Titans in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tight end O.J. Howard (88) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Clemson Tigers during the third quarter in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tight end O.J. Howard (88) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Clemson Tigers during the third quarter in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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O.J. Howard

Tight End, Alabama Crimson Tide

If he wants it bad enough, Alabama Crimson Tide tight end O.J. Howard could be a multi-time Pro Bowler in the NFL. He is an elite pass catcher and solid in protection schemes. Howard can make plays in space that reminds NFL scouts of a Greg Olsen.

For whatever reason, Howard fell all the way to No. 19. There was no way that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were going to pass up a potential transformative talent with that mid-round pick. Tampa Bay was probably best served to address the secondary, the offensive line, or the running back position. However, Howard could be Dirk Koetter’s Tampa version of Tony Gonzalez.

Koetter has successfully brought the Air Coryell to the Tampa Bay Area. He has a franchise quarterback in Jameis Winston. Though he is dynamic, he does tend to force throws to wideout Mike Evans. Adding Howard improves Tampa Bay substantially in terms of running block, pass protection and middle of the field passing concepts.

He will disappear at times in an offense. Howard did it at Alabama and will probably do it at the next level. Tampa Bay has a good coaching staff in place and should be in the mix for playoff contention in the NFC next season. If Howard loves football, he has the ability to be the best player taken in the first-round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

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