McShay: Bucs Grab TE (Subject To Change)
February 12th, 2017
BSPNer likes.
Time to offer up a recent Todd McShay s(p)it-against-the-wall guess at who the Bucs will draft at the end of April (still a long time away).
The BSPN analyst believes with so many decent need players off the board when the Bucs draft at No. 19, AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht goes for the best player and pulls the trigger on Alabama tight end O.J. Howard.
The Buccaneers have bigger needs than tight end — defensive line, safety and wide receiver among them — but Howard, my No. 12 overall player, is the best value on the board. He was the best player on the field all week at the Senior Bowl, showing great athleticism for a guy who measured just over 6-foot-5½ and 249 pounds.
McShay is correct that the Bucs have bigger needs, but he missed the biggest need of them all: running back.
With winning Bucs coach Dirk Koetter all but screaming for #WeaponsForWinston last season, it is very difficult for Joe to believe Licht would ignore a running back, wide receiver or a pass rusher (again, safety is not a need until we find out what transpires in free agency — running back in free agency appears very thin).
Besides, it isn’t like the Bucs have a hole at tight end.
Cameron Brate led the NFL in touchdown catches by a tight end — hello! Joe isn’t sure why fans are so hellbent to replace Brate unless those same fans are OK with Howard being a backup, and if that is the case, how the heck can anyone justify a No. 19 pick being a backup?
Just a hunch, and nothing more, if McShay believes in his latest guess, Licht just might be trading back.
February 12th, 2017 at 3:32 am
Because howard can make a bigger impact on the run game than brate has and be a bigger playmaker on the passing side of our offense too!! Brate can catch and fall over, awesome but dont count on him evans or humphries to get YAC.
February 12th, 2017 at 3:46 am
John Ross’ injury history includes:
Left ACL tear
Left meniscus
Right meniscus
Microfracture surgery
now shoulder surgery post-Combine
February 12th, 2017 at 3:53 am
If it comes to pass that way – then McShay’s philosophy is sound. Pick the best football player you can get with your 1st rd pick. Hell – with all your picks.
Its all about value. And value involving College prospects is subjective. Very subjective.
What kind of skillset does the player bring? Athleticism? Is he a good fit for the scheme? Will his personality be a good fit w/ current team chemistry? Does he LOVE playing football? Not just the games – the practice – the film study – the extra hours in the gym – all of it. How well will the skills he put on tape in College project to the next level? This and so much more goes into each team’s rankings of players and the development of team’s Big Boards.
You gotta stay true to your board. Yes “need” at various positions does and should come into play – but considering that over 40% of 1st round picks do not make it to their 2nd contract with the team that picked them and are thus “busts” – GMs that trust their evaluation process and regularly draft the best FOOTBALL PLAYERS FOR THEIR TEAM that they can with each and every pick – typically do much better in the long run than GMs who reach for shiny objects time after time because they have a “need” at a given position.
Now regarding OJ Howard – dude is gonna be a stud TE in this league – and we need one of those. The key is that he can block as well as he can make plays downfield. Perhaps better. He’s an every down TE. No more shuffling Stocker in for Brate and telegraphing that its a run play or vice versa.
In drafting Howard – you are playing to your QBs strength. Any nole fan can tell you that Jameis LOVES to throw down the middle to his TE. Its one of his biggest strengths – finding a big dude 15 yards downfield over the middle. Look what he’s been able to develop with UDFA Brate.
Now also consider that Koetter’s strong preference if he has the players – is to play 2 TE sets a % of the time. And for good reason. Especially if you can put 2 TEs on the field who are both good receivers along with ME and a speed receiver on the outside. It literally opens up so many possibilities with play calling and is very hard to defend when you are sending 4 good receivers downfield and still have a running back to either help pass block or be a safety valve for a check down.
Howard would be a great pick for this team if Licht determines that he is the best Football player available at pick #19.
February 12th, 2017 at 4:00 am
Jameis LOVES throwing to TE’s and with OJ at #19 they could run a TWO TE set with 2 WR’S, 2 TE’s and 1 RB and create a lot of mismatch problems for defenses, ala the Patriots when they had Gronk and Hernandez …
February 12th, 2017 at 4:27 am
Ray Rice!
Ray Rice!
Ray Rice!!
Jesus Forgives and so does Joseph the Teacherman
Ray Rice is the running back we need!!!
Sign him- 3 years- veteran minimum.
Boom! Problems solved!
February 12th, 2017 at 4:48 am
Tend to think that the Bucs needs are pretty well defined at this point: Can see us picking a WR, TE, RB, S, DE, DT & T/C in the 7 rnds, but not necessarily in that order. Guess is that the top 2-3 picks will either start (hopefully) or be key rotational players while the remainder will get some time but mostly as backups/ ST/ developmental players. Until we know which positions Bucs fill in free agency, it’s pretty hard to predict which positions we have to grab anticipated starters in.
Would think that a player like OJ Howard could step in as an instant starter and give us a LOT of snaps. No need to rotate him out on running downs … he’s an excellent blocker. On passing downs he’s that Gronk or Graham type that the defense HAS TO account for at all times, and probably with 2 defenders. Perfect complement to Cam Brate (and vice versa) … both Koetter & Jameis love 2-TE sets it seems like. Would love to see OJ become a Buc because you can be pretty sure what you’re getting when you draft him. Not so with some other positions; WRs & RBs flop all the time (so do DEs and Safeties in Bucsville). But then again, might well have a different opinion after free agency.
February 12th, 2017 at 5:32 am
I thought Koetter likes the two TE set? I really think Jamies would.
February 12th, 2017 at 5:36 am
Anyone that believes that OJ Howard wouldn’t be a significant addition to the running and the passing game need to go watch his film. Kid loves to block. Can handle linebackers and the quicker Defensive Ends that give Donavan Smith fits. Oh, and he can catch. My only issue, and it is small, with this pick is that it is a very deep TE draft. But he is no doubt the best. This doesn’t take away from what Brate does either. It allows him to do what he does best which is split out into the slot.
February 12th, 2017 at 5:53 am
“Joe isn’t sure why fans are so hellbent to replace Brate unless those same fans are OK with Howard being a backup, and if that is the case, how the heck can anyone justify a No. 19 pick being a backup?”
I always looked at the Howard/Njoku pick as replacing Stocker on passing plays and the extra OL on run plays. To me it was never about “replacing” Brate.
The reason I am bot on the OJ Howard train is the same reason I wasnt on the RB round 1 train a month ago. Its a deep TE class. If it really is about replacing Stocker in the pass game and the extra OL on run plays, the class is deep enough to find a TE that can do that in the later rounds.
The guy Ive been Jeremy Sprinkle as an example. Sprinkle has a round 5 grade on him and imo he is more athletic than Stocker and a better blocker than Brate. Sprinkle isnt near the level that Howard is on but if we can still get that same upgrade with Sprinkle at a 4 round discount, to me thats great value.
February 12th, 2017 at 5:53 am
https://youtu.be/hSYMQSjUra8
Rb kareem hunt this kid is a beast one thing consistent about him is that he fights for every extra yard he can get. He’s powerful and stays on his feet after contact. Very agile and fast. He’s a smaller back but he def doesnt play like one.
February 12th, 2017 at 5:53 am
*not on the OJ Howard train
February 12th, 2017 at 5:55 am
I botched a lot of that 1st comment lol. Next time im going to wait til im fully awake to comment lol
February 12th, 2017 at 5:58 am
*he plays like a**
February 12th, 2017 at 6:00 am
From what I read about Howard, I like him if he is the BPA. Nothing wrong with a 2 TE set. Could make the running game strong after picking up a RB in the 3rd rd. Also, Bucs can line up in a 2 TE set, then split Howard or Brate wide with Evans and Pryor out wide. Yeah!! That is pretty scary! Too bad the D then has to eventually get on the field without that new DE we need ;-(
February 12th, 2017 at 6:03 am
and what Joey and Pickgrin said……
February 12th, 2017 at 6:09 am
Hey…he’d definitely be a weapon…and a good one. If you squint just right…that 88 might remind you of Jimmie Giles 🙂 ( for us old timers that is. )
February 12th, 2017 at 6:25 am
http://draftbreakdown.com/?s=kareem+hunt
For anybody else who enjoys watching game tapes n not highlights. Kareem hunt is my favorite rb out of this draft perine is good but he isnt all the way consistent he’s a project. The best rb imo is kareem hunt. 2nd or 3rd round pick for us.
February 12th, 2017 at 7:30 am
Will not happen. Todd Mcshay is right how often? Its amazing people even listen to this guy and Kiper anymore. As Joe says, they change their draft every ot h er week, in hopes of hitting on some picks. There are bigger needs, and players who will be there to fill them.
February 12th, 2017 at 7:31 am
There will be no WR, RB or S worth taking at 19. Read McShays words. VALUE…
February 12th, 2017 at 7:40 am
Dalvin Cook and OJ Howard are my two 1st rd favorites (assuming we stay put at 19)…by the time the draft rolls around the first free agency wave will be over and there won’t be many more holes left for Licht to fill before TC begins…which should allow us to go best available player with the 19th pick…
February 12th, 2017 at 7:46 am
JonBuc Says:
February 12th, 2017 at 6:09 am
Hey…he’d definitely be a weapon…and a good one. If you squint just right…that 88 might remind you of Jimmie Giles 🙂 ( for us old timers that is. )
——————————————–
This old timer is DEFINITELY on board with that one!! 🙂 But, I still feel that the Bucs need another receiver and must get OL/DL depth!!
February 12th, 2017 at 7:57 am
How have you let fan outcry twist your perception so strongly Joe?
All of us reasonable folk walked into this off season knowing that Priority Number 1 was WR, including you Joe, Now it’s running back? That’s news to me.
If/when all the top WR’s are off the board by the time we pick, an explosive TE with phenomenal athleticism, speed, reliable hands, and refined technical skill as blocker, would be just as good.
Also, I have yet to see one O.J. support so much as mutter a disparaging word toward Cameron Brate.
The beautiful thing about the tight end position is that can have 2 on the field at once. All of those plays we call now that require an Extra lineman to play Jumbo tight end? Replace a Tackle/ Guard with a legit option that Defenses have to respect, and you gain options.
What was a sure fire running play, now has the potential to be a quick passing play that catches the defense sleeping, or a play action that frees up a target down field for a huge catch.
Having 2 behemoth tight ends that can do a little bit of everything would be nothing but a benefit for our entire Offense.
February 12th, 2017 at 8:09 am
K. So I guess I’ll be in moderation for another 30 minutes then Joe?
February 12th, 2017 at 8:10 am
Delson…Kareem Hunt plays like Marshawn Lynch (5’11 215), Hunt was almost 5’11 and weighed in at 208 at the Senior Bowl but he plays around 215, he lost weight training for the speed/agility portion of the combine, he fumbled once in a heavy workload in college, no significant injuries like Dalvins shoulders, or background problems like Mixon, he’s become my second favorite talent wise to Mixon, Dalvins body frightens me reminds me of Cadillac with a little more speed
February 12th, 2017 at 8:20 am
Anyone who desires empirical evidence that Jameis plays pretty much the same with or without a running game.
Google this phrase. “Jameis Winston’s performance without a running game was impressive.”
February 12th, 2017 at 8:32 am
Read, how often are Mcshays picks right?
February 12th, 2017 at 8:45 am
Look at his fial mock, outside of the first two, i think he just about missed the entire forst round.
February 12th, 2017 at 8:46 am
First round.
February 12th, 2017 at 8:46 am
@Chirs Such is the way of the mock draft.
February 12th, 2017 at 8:47 am
Totally disagree. The top 2 receivers will be gone along with top 2 running backs. This tight end is special – SUb 4.6. And can block. Basically another receiver in a tight end body. Koetter can run 2 tight end sets and unknown if running or throwing? Safety will want to double Evans and tightend will fimd seams over and thru middle of field. Still can Get receiver in 2nd and running back in third cause running backs can be had then. Good running backs too. Safety in free agency for depth. Maybe draft true safety from smaller school in 4th (not Ryan smith kinda player)
February 12th, 2017 at 8:48 am
Mel Kiper has been collecting a paycheck from Espn for ages now, and he is almost never right. Both in regards to his mock drafts, and overall player evaluation/ projection.
It’s all part of the hype train.
February 12th, 2017 at 8:49 am
Or we could just trade up and grab a punter in the top ten. Work your magic Licht!
February 12th, 2017 at 8:53 am
He’ll be a Raven. Ozzie Newsome taking the kid. Might prove to be too inticing for the HOF TE to pass.
February 12th, 2017 at 8:56 am
Can’t totally disregard the mocks,I recall them saying all last summer the Bucs were taking a corner from UF. They did. Not saying McShayv right about this one tho. This kid going to Baltimore.
February 12th, 2017 at 9:01 am
@NosBos, he very well could get drafted by the Ravens. To tell my honest truth, I think it’s more likely they try to acquire a Receiver, seeing as Steve Smith Sr. is going into retirement. In the same breath, they could also go Running back, because they have cut ties for Justin Forsett after his decline in play.
95 percent of pre-combine mocks are going to be wrong. Just the way it is. Nothing outside of the realm of possibility. All we can go by is probability.
February 12th, 2017 at 9:06 am
95% could be wrong but that mock Mac posted last night seems very feasible when you read each breakdown.
February 12th, 2017 at 9:09 am
Of course you think that Lol. It has the Bucs taking Cook.
February 12th, 2017 at 9:09 am
Correct picks from 2016 final mock drafts by experts:
McShay: 11 correct (including Leonard Floyd at 9)
Kiper: 9 correct (including Leonard Floyd at 9)
Jeremiah: Couldn’t find it lol
Bucky Brooks: 9 (including Jack Conklin at 8)
Mike Mayock: 10 (including Leonard Floyd at 9 and VH3 at 11)
Walter Football: 8 (including Leonard Floyd at 9)
Now to be fair nobody expected Myles Jack’s knee to drop him out of the 1st round and of course Laremy Tunsil’s gas mask was a shake up.
I always looked as mock drafts as just for fun. Nobody can accurately predict teams draft boards and then you factor in trades which are also unpredictable.
February 12th, 2017 at 9:14 am
Size, speed, can run routes and his heart and brain run a 4.3 forty.
Problem is McCoy needs a strong de to be effective.
Mike 13 needs a solid 2 to be more effective.
It’s a uber strong safety and db draft.
Jameis also needs a rb.
We really need to fill at least one hole if not two in free agency.
February 12th, 2017 at 9:15 am
Barnett if he’s there… OJ will be gone, sadly
February 12th, 2017 at 9:31 am
I’d love it if OJ Howard were there for us at 19! He and Cameron Brate together would give us the most dangerous pair of TE’s in the league! Then pick up a running back in round 2, like Foreman or the kid from Stanford….resign Quizz Rodgers of course. In Free agency we can find a good WR (Desean Jackson?) and invest in a young guy later in draft.
If it shook out like this, Winston would have a ton of great weapons t get the ball to, and our offense could be one of the best in the league in a year or two!
February 12th, 2017 at 9:34 am
I pay attention to mocks about a month before the draft.
February 12th, 2017 at 9:41 am
Picking a tight end in the first round with so many glaring needs is just nutz. And Cook will be long gone at 19.
February 12th, 2017 at 9:46 am
mocks UNTIL about a month*
February 12th, 2017 at 9:47 am
There are at least 4 or 5 RB’s that will be available in the 2-3 round that would allow the Bucs the luxury of going after a guy like OJ Howard in round 1. Fournette and Cook will both be gone by the middle of round 1, but guys like Foreman(Texas), McCaffrey(Stanford), Kamara(Tennessee), Samuel(Ohio St.), Mixon(Oklahoma) could all still be there when the Bucs pick in round 2!
February 12th, 2017 at 9:51 am
Licht has his eye on this RB from D3 school mount union, 5-7 165 like mccafery only no one but licht has seen him, licht we trust
February 12th, 2017 at 9:51 am
Running back our biggest need?…. eh I don’t know about that Joe. Even if Doug Martin don’t return, we still have Rodgers, Simms, Barber and (Peterson)??
February 12th, 2017 at 10:04 am
Drafting Howard would be dumb. 2 TE sets are rare for a reason and Brate is developing into a weapon. Williams and Davis will likely be gone before 19 unless some teams up top need OT or DE more. Then one or the other might fall.
The other thing to consider is neither Williams or Davis is equivalent to Evans. Watch their film and then watch this: https://youtu.be/wl2OfgKbEBs
That year Alabama was #3 and lost in the Sugar Bowl.
Personally, I think the best WR value in the draft is slot guys in the 2nd round. Cooper Kupp, Samuels, Westbrook are all good prospects in the slot. Hopefully, FA will gift us with a #2 receiver on the outside and then one of the slot guys in the draft can develop over a couple of years while Evans and Brate flourish without all the double teams on Evans.
If we pick up a solid #2 in the FA period and Licht/Koetter think that Humphries is coming along nicely as a slot maybe we don’t grab a receiver until rnd 4 or so. There should be a couple of guys there with potential – Ardarius Stewart, Josh Reynolds, Isaiah Ford etc. It will take them a couple of years but…
February 12th, 2017 at 10:06 am
Bring in Howard, use Brate’s 6’5″-235 size for a giant slot receiver and sign or draft a speedy WR. Sounds like a deadly pass catching combo to me…
February 12th, 2017 at 10:12 am
You got me on that one ☺Blake..
February 12th, 2017 at 10:19 am
Feel what you just said mesh.
February 12th, 2017 at 10:20 am
btw….off topic but if you are watching film for fun as I am check this play out…. Funny stuff.
https://youtu.be/S8YA_qIprUI?t=1m48s
February 12th, 2017 at 10:22 am
LOL at “almost intercepted by Wooten!” Yeah, if he had glue on his head….
February 12th, 2017 at 10:23 am
@Mesh Dirk Koetter uses a ton of formations and packages that deploy multiple tight ends. Week 1 against Atlanta is a perfect example.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9TJsFveSp4
1:42 First touchdown of the 2016 for Jameis, thrown to Brandon Myers, with Luke Stocker lined up at H-Back
1:56 Second TD of the year. With a beautiful run after catch from Chuck Sims. Thrown out of what is referred to as 12, or Ace formation. 2 WR’s 2 TE’s and 1 RB.
February 12th, 2017 at 10:27 am
2:27 Another Beautiful Touchdown, this one to the mental midget, professional Bowel mover, ASJ. Also a 2 TE set, this one with a trips formation to the right.
February 12th, 2017 at 10:32 am
Since when did having two good tight ends a bad thing? Do you remember how the team looked when brate went down? Do you remember how jameis looked week one with the two TE set? Having quality depth is important. Look no further than your superbowl champs
February 12th, 2017 at 10:36 am
^Dat Part.
February 12th, 2017 at 10:58 am
First off @JOE…I agree with @Blake_, no one here has so much uttered bad things bout Brate. We love him.
I’d only pass for DE. Outside of that I’m taking him! Yes the two TE set is a beautiful thing. Oh he’s BPA, it’s a no Brainer … If he loves football it’s a win win. Mostly for our defense. Capt Dirk could impose his will on the league with a player like Howard…a hybrid 4 vert out of a two TE set that can run if they so choose… C’mon tighten up
February 12th, 2017 at 11:01 am
Lmao…I just sold myself on him
OFFICIALLY
#HOWARD
February 12th, 2017 at 11:08 am
For some reason I’m seeing that scouts are dropping mike Williams AND Corey Davis. Mike Williams will drop to a reasonable spot for us to trade up for him, and Corey Davis will likely be there at 19. I see a lot of mocks having mike Williams drop to the titans at 18, and Corey Davis isn’t working out at the combine. May be good news for us
February 12th, 2017 at 11:14 am
@Mike… Naw yo… Dropping due to injuries. I’ll pass on both. If your gonna spend the first pick on a skill player, he’s gotta be ready to go day one
#Sweezytheory
February 12th, 2017 at 11:42 am
Mike Williams isn’t dropping due to injury. He is dropping because other prospects are gaining momentum like every year. There will be prospects picked in the top 15 that many consider to be round 2 players. Which will cause some other BIG talent to drop to us at 19. I believe mike Williams and Corey Davis could be those players this year.
February 12th, 2017 at 11:42 am
“Dat part”??? Got a lil soul in ya there huh Blake..
February 12th, 2017 at 11:48 am
It’s called 12 personnel. 2 TEs on the field helps protection and run blocking, plus Howard (who’s a great blocker) would be a dynamic #WeaponForWinston.
It’s essentially the perfect pick.
February 12th, 2017 at 12:03 pm
Yeah @guzzie 262 carries last year and kareem hunt didnt fumble once. His only fumble was 3 years ago. He missed 2 games in 2015 for an undisclosed broken team rule and 1 more for a hamstring injury but other than that he is solid as a rock. The senior bowl showed that he can play against harder competition and still thrive (won mvp). What else can i say? Hunt is resilient as a runner and very agile. Uses his blocks well, he runs between the tackles has an effective jump cut juke backstep spin and he isnt afraid to lower his shoulders. He stays on his feet and keeps his balance. I watched him gain an extra 14 yards give or take just off willpower to not touch the ground dragged the safety for about 7 yards. If we draft hunt our run game is not a worry he reminds me of devonte freeman of the falcons.
February 12th, 2017 at 12:09 pm
@Nosbos I dont discriminate folk.
February 12th, 2017 at 12:12 pm
2 TE sets with two guys that can spread out into the slots or one remains.
I like this idea, mane.
Still need that rb though, right NOS.
I say stay put if one of the 2 drops. Cook or Howard or BPA at 19.
February 12th, 2017 at 12:13 pm
2 1/2 more months to go.
February 12th, 2017 at 12:14 pm
😂Lol I feel you homie.
February 12th, 2017 at 12:18 pm
You alright wit me. I ain’t got nothing else negative to say towards you. Been hella insightful since making your presence on this site. Keep doing ya thang brh brh.
February 12th, 2017 at 12:23 pm
Let me get your opinion. I know they appear to be in need of a RB just like I feel we are. And Steve Smith ain’t getting no younger. But I didn’t realize Ozzie Newsome played TE for Bama. If he’s there when they pick you think Newsome will pass on this young man???
February 12th, 2017 at 12:25 pm
Now they do already have Pitta who is quite effective in the NFL.
February 12th, 2017 at 12:38 pm
Apparently the Ravens had 5 TEs on their 53 man roster, would be 6 if Ben Watson wasn’t on IR. I would think they would cut some of those guys if they were planning on drafting a TE early. If they cut a couple TEs it could be a hint at their direction in the draft.
February 12th, 2017 at 12:49 pm
@NosBos they also have Crocket Gilmore, Ben Watson, and the Drafted Maxx Williams in the second round of the 2015 Draft. Both Watson and Williams will be recovering from injuries that Kept them Out of 2016. So they have a Talented group of TE’s they just have to get healthy.
By what little research i’ve done, Scouts/ Analysts indicate that the Ravens will go defense in round 1. Teez Tabor out of florida being the latest guy being mocked.
February 12th, 2017 at 1:13 pm
Howard has been a huge impact in every big game.
February 12th, 2017 at 1:29 pm
I like it. Best TE is a great weapon to have. Brate and howard can be on the field. Itll help the run and pass game.
Stop.saying RB in the first round. Thats a waste. Like buyin a Cadillac lol
February 12th, 2017 at 1:58 pm
With that many TEs I’d be shocked.
February 12th, 2017 at 1:58 pm
The pundits appear to be mocking TEs Howard or Njoku to the Bucs here because the WRs and RBs that could justify a selection this high will be gone, most likely. There aren’t any safeties currently projected to be of value at #19. DE is possible. The way it lays out right now, TE or DE appear to be the best options at this slot.
February 12th, 2017 at 2:02 pm
^ And while WR is clearly the need here, TEs like the 2 mentioned serve the purpose of opening up the passing game. #WeaponsForWinston
As for RB, it is arguably a top need, but can wait until round 3, though I’ve seen Alvin Kamara from Tennessee mocked to us in one draft (can’t remember which one).
February 12th, 2017 at 5:40 pm
You can’t expect Mcshay/Kiper to get thier mock draft picks correct. They even say that getting 8 picks correct in the first round in thier final mock is a really good year. None of the “experts” ever get more than that. Mock drafts are fun to project, nothing more. Most of thier work is getting players projected in the round they will go. The players breakdowns and grading is the important part, and we know that a majority of busts are mental, and no matter how much tape is watched, it is impossible to accurately project how a player will transition mentally from college to the pros. NFL teams also leak false information to throw other teams off thier trail, just ask Daniel Jeremiah. Mock drafts are fun, nothing more, especially this far away from the big day.
February 12th, 2017 at 5:46 pm
Taco Charlton is a player to keep an eye on.
February 12th, 2017 at 5:49 pm
I wouldn’t be upset with Howard in the 1st. A good draft IMO could be Howard, Cupp, Hunt in the first three rounds. I love the 2 TE set, and I think Winston does too. While I realize TE isn’t our biggest need, it not like Brate is a game breaker. He’s more of a possession TE. We could have Brate work underneath and Howard stretch the field. Howard is a good blocker too, so having him in the field wouldn’t tip our hand and the play action would sell more easily. There are a lot of ways the draft could play out that I would be happy with.
February 12th, 2017 at 6:51 pm
At this point I’ve read posters claim there are lots of RB’s and TE’s in this draft and so wait until later rounds to pick them.
IF that’s the case and we don’t get a Dalvin then I’d just as soon go Bobby Beathard. That dude had teams in SEVEN Super Bowls…and he believed the draft was such a crapshoot that he traded down every chance he got to increase his number of picks thereby improving his odds.
This may be the year Licht needs to consider moving back depending on the deal he can get…No Dalvin then let’s trade back and pick up a couple more picks if possible. Samuels in the 2nd would please me a LOT…then BPA for the rest of you guys who want DE’s…DT’S…OL..safeties…and of course WR’s!!!
February 12th, 2017 at 7:09 pm
StPete, I love that strategy. It is a risk that you might not get a player that you really want, but I would try to trade back a bit in each round. I’d rather have, let’s say 12 picks, than 7. Add more young talent and let them battle for a roster spot. There are hidden jems on the last day every year, licht just has to find them. Extra later round picks can also be used as ammo to trade up for a guy that falls. It’s like the golden rule. He, who has the picks, make the rules.
February 12th, 2017 at 8:08 pm
I dont think te is very deep in regards to the skillset of oj howard thats why he’d be a bpa and worth it. Settin ourselves up to not be let down by our first round pick. The other tes dont have the blocking ability but have the recieving ability and the physical ability. Other tes that have the blocking ability but not the recieving ability n without the physical ability. With howard u get both, and his receiving potential is un-pioneered. Neither of the top 2 rbs will be there neither of the top 2 wrs. A combination of dline lbs cbs n safeties and possibly a qb or 2 will be gone. Howard could fall to us n that would be ideal.
February 12th, 2017 at 8:10 pm
He won’t be available at 19.
February 13th, 2017 at 9:44 am
Get used to it Bucs fans. Your days of spotting an obvious need and clamoring for the Bucs to draft so and so to fill that need are over, for a while at least. The Bucs are apparently just good enough to be in a draft position that requires them to pick the best value player instead of drafting for need.
That said, what’s wrong with taking O.J. Howard at #19? His metrics are excellent, on film he’s a playmaker, he can block according to all the punditry and he seems to be a downfield threat. So what if he plays the Y instead of the X or Z. This isn’t the 60s or 70s. Tight ends are lined up all over the field today.
And let’s not forget the Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots are chomping at the bitt to get their Rob Gronkowski/Martellus Bennett tight end duo on the field. Could Tampa field an equally deadly Howard/Cameron Brate weapon?