10 NFL stars playing for a huge payday in 2021

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 18: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) O.J. Howard #80 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in action against the New York Giants on November 18, 2018 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants defeated the Buccaneers 38-35. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

8. TE O.J. Howard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

He remains quite the physical specimen. Former University of Alabama tight end O.J. Howard has played three seasons for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the organization made him the seventh overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. The imposing 6-foot-6, 251-pound target has yet to play a full 16-game season but when available, there’s no doubt he’s made a positive impression for a club starving for a playoff appearance.

Howard does come off a year in which he saw his visits to the end zone limited to one and his yards per catch finish at 13.5. In his rookie campaign, the physical specimen caught just 26 passes but for 432 yards (16.6 average) and six scores in 14 appearances. One year later and in just 10 games, there were 34 receptions, good for 565 yards (16.6 average) and five TDs.

It’s interesting to note that despite the trade for Rob Gronkowski and the presence of talented Cameron Brate, the organization decided to pick up the fifth-year option on Howard in late April (via Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com).

Of course, he will be catching passes from Tom Brady this season and the 20-year veteran figures to keep all three tight ends busy. But could Howard’s next contract come with another team? He’s certainly been the subject of trade rumors (Nick Goss of NBC Sports/Boston) this offseason – substantial or not.

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