Buccaneers sign O.J. Howard to rookie deal
By John McCarty
Well-regarded tight end prospect will be counted on to contribute immediately to revamped Buccaneer offense.
As was reported by Josh Alper on Pro Football Talk, the Buccaneers have agreed to terms with their first round draft pick, Alabama tight end O.J. Howard to a standard first round pick four year deal with an option for year five. Terms of the agreement have not yet been disclosed.
As a senior for the Crimson Tide, Howard hauled in 114 passes for 1,726 yards in aiding the Alabama reaching the National Championship game. Entering the 2017 draft, Howard was widely considered to be the highest rated tight end, and far and away the most complete tight end and after a strong performance at the Senior Bowl and Scouting Combine, Howard was viewed as a possible top ten pick, but slid to the Buccaneers with the 19th-overall selection.
Howard certainly appears to be an immediate contributor for the revamped Buccaneer offense. After giving big money to DeSean Jackson to play along side Mike Evans with Jameis Winston as the signal caller, much is expected from this Tampa offense going into season two of the Dirk Koetter regime after finishing 9-7 in 2016.
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Howard will pair with Cameron Brate, entering his fourth season in the league after being signed as an un-drafted free agent out of Harvard in 2014. Brate was the second-leading receiver for Tampa last season, finishing with 660 yards and eight touchdowns. No other tight end on the Tampa roster would record more then 59 yards during the 2016 campaign. Wide receiver Mike Evans lead the Buccaneers in both yards and touchdowns, finishing with 1,321 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Between Howard’s blocking talents and play making skills, one must anticipate Howard will contribute if not start right away. The Buccaneers certainly anticipate him doing just that, and hope his contributions help Tampa dethrone the Falcons as the top squad in the NFC South.