O.J. Rumor Clarification & Justin Jefferson
April 21st, 2020
Yes, there are real rumblings that the Buccaneers will draft an electric wide receiver in Round 1 of Thursday’s NFL Draft.
But what if they go after the available Chris Godwin clone instead?
After the Big 3 receivers in Thursday’s draft, next up for most observers is Justin Jefferson. He’s a do-it-all receiver out of LSU at 6-1, 202 pounds, who caught 111 balls last season and finished incredibly strong against Georgia, Oklahoma and Clemson in the national title game.
Joe doesn’t think the Bucs will go receiver, but NFL Network insider reporter Ian Rapoport told WDAE radio today that he thinks it’s a real possibility and Jefferson was his pick for Tampa Bay.
Rapoport, who is in regular contact with NFL general managers, added that he’s not swallowing the O.J. Howard trade rumors.
Howard trade chatter was real months ago, but the recent escalation of the chatter is empty.
“From what I understand, [the rumors] actually haven’t increased recently,” Rapoport explained. “Like it’s possible there were some sort of leftover rumors from free agency. I know teams called about him. But what happens is when you hear rumors like, ‘Hey, this guy’s on the block,’ then teams start calling and that sometimes leads to more rumors.
“I haven’t gotten the sense the Bucs want to deal him. Again, like it would be strange to get Tom Brady, you’ve seen him thrive with two good tight ends and then you trade your former first-round tight end before he gets to play with Tom Brady.”
What would be strange is the Bucs trading Howard for, say a late third-round pick. If that’s all they can get, then why not just keep him?
After all, Brady is supposed to bring the best out of everyone. And O.J.’s best might be extremely special.
April 21st, 2020 at 12:53 pm
Once we got Brady, I never thought it made since to trade him. We’ll know this season how good or mediocre Howard is. He’ll contribute more than a third round pick.
April 21st, 2020 at 12:57 pm
Itz up to the coachs to utilize OJ’s talent. We have seen OJ make huge plays when given opportunities. As far as drafting a WR ni Rd 1 itz a passing league and while we already have two awesome receivers it wouldn’t hurt to have another stud pass catcher.
April 21st, 2020 at 1:01 pm
Can Jason doing this….
How does he have a job ?
April 21st, 2020 at 1:03 pm
It makes zero sense to trade him with Brady here. Forget drafting an early receiver and sign Ginn to be #3.
April 21st, 2020 at 1:08 pm
This is perhaps the only pick that would disgust me. Agree with SC Bucs if you do not trust Scotty or Justin..if you do not trust a later pick..maybe even a UDFA like Hump or Brate…then just grab Ginn.
April 21st, 2020 at 1:16 pm
Sickens me to think about taking a WR in Round 1. I freaking hate this feeling. Wish this talk would shut up…….Might even join NDog if they do this that they don’t give a crap about the future of my beloved Bucs. That’s what drafting a WR would signify to me.
Its a greedy selfish move. I’ll do my best to get on board with a month ve like that but it will be difficult. For what it’s worth I had the same pit in my stomach when I thought we might draft Marriota in 2015…….I also wasn’t a big fan of the Mike Evans pick and am happy to admitt I was dead wrong.
April 21st, 2020 at 1:18 pm
SC……How do you even know Brady wants to play with OJ?
I could easily breakdown several of his lowlights last year to show that he not a Brady kind of player. Just sayin.
April 21st, 2020 at 1:19 pm
Yeah, outside of the upper echelon guys like Rappaport, most of these national hacks are all just making stuff up as they go along with no real sources or leads.
April 21st, 2020 at 1:21 pm
If OJ continues to fumble and drop passes Brady will not throw to him PERIOD. OJ seems like he wanted his “PRO” $$$ then go about his life. Albert Hainsworth?
April 21st, 2020 at 1:30 pm
WR would be such bad value early in this draft.
1. The draft goes at least 4-5 rounds deep in starting WRs per most opinions
2. The Bucs need is for a #3 WR, not a 1 or 2….
3. WRs drafted in R1 actually have worse careers lately than R2 and in general we see a ton of R3/R4 WRs having huge success
April 21st, 2020 at 1:35 pm
OJ is like Dwight Howard all the physical gifts but doesn’t have that DOG in him to be elite. Maybe it’s there and he needs someone to bring it out but if he doesn’t show up this season with Brady throwing to him and I mean consistently not a flash here or there get rid of him.
April 21st, 2020 at 1:37 pm
JJ I don’t know if Brady wants to play with Howard. I do know that coming out of college Howard was highly regarded. What has happened to him since then nobody knows. Guy clearly has talent. if Brady is looking for a challenge that this is the type of thing he’s looking for.
April 21st, 2020 at 1:48 pm
My problem with Howard has been.his want to and his heart.Last year I would have teqded him but now that his value is down and he will likely train harder than ever to.play with Brady, ai would trade Brate and keep Howard for.two years, then trade Howard when Brady retires.
April 21st, 2020 at 1:51 pm
SC…… Personally….for me….I don’t give a crap about talent. I’ll come straight out and say it I think OJ sucks as a football player.
Now I’ve been wrong a thousand times+ so if Brady wants to feed OJ I’ll concede and buy in(for a minute)……….but I do think the only challenge Brady has is putting another bleeping ring on his finger…….It will be very interesting to see what happens.
April 21st, 2020 at 1:55 pm
Gradkowski said he might be open to teaming back up with Brady
April 21st, 2020 at 2:26 pm
Arians threw the water on OJ Howard’s fire, because in the Arians offense, a tight end is little more than a glorified blocker.
Unless Brady can change the Arians offense, OJ is doomed here.
April 21st, 2020 at 2:32 pm
definitely OJ has a season to show up, different QB and system might work better for him
April 21st, 2020 at 2:40 pm
Sarasota Garey Says:
April 21st, 2020 at 1:55 pm
Gradkowski said he might be open to teaming back up with Brady
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what? ..this is misinformation or fake news. Bruce Gradkowski is out of football
unless this is supposed to be Stephen Gostkowski or Rob Gronkowski
April 21st, 2020 at 2:52 pm
OJ’s best isn’t special. The Bucs aren’t giving him a 5th year, so trade him for a day 2 pick. Otherwise you’ll just choose not to resign him after the 2020 season and end up with nothing.
April 21st, 2020 at 3:11 pm
Trench War says Rob Gronkowski
April 21st, 2020 at 3:13 pm
If the tackles you like are gone – I wouldn’t mind WR if its H. Ruggs. This forces teams to play zone and limits blitzing..aka…helps your QB and Oline.
April 21st, 2020 at 4:09 pm
Gronk announced he wants back in but only with the bucs….o.j. might go bye bye
April 21st, 2020 at 4:10 pm
So B/R is reporting that Gronk wants to play with Brady in Tampa and that Tampa and New England are negotiating a trade? Then a few minutes later they report that Brady wants to play with Gronk too?
If true, it looks like Howard is more than likely getting traded for sure now too.
April 21st, 2020 at 4:11 pm
Been saying it all along, but the Bucs have complete garbage at WR past the starters. Are you really betting the season on Scotty Miller as the #3 starter? If so, you’re an idiot.
IF there is a run on tackles, and the WR’s fall, then the Bucs should take one. If they can get a top 4 tackle and they’re sold on who is left, they should take the tackle and get a WR in the 2nd.
Or they should try to trade down and pick up an extra 2nd.
The WR that I just love the more I see him is Michael Pittman, he reminds me so much of Mike Evans. He just looks so pro-ready, like he can be dropped in an outside WR in a 3 WR set from day 1. Maybe it doesn’t work out, but just watching him, I’d be amazed if he isn’t a 1000 yard guy very quickly in his career. The issue is at the start of the offseason he was a 3rd round prospect, then he went up to 2nd round, and now I’ve seen him going as early as late round 1. Yikes. If the Bucs traded back, it still seems high, but he might be who I go with. With Godwin playing in the slot in Arians offense, getting a big guy outside is a perfect fit. If he’s available in the 2nd round when the Bucs pick, he has to be the guy if they get a tackle in the 1st, that’s my take.
Idealy if the Bucs could trade back in the 1st, they could get a WR and in a deep OT draft get 2 OT’s and plan for life after Smith as he will probably be too expensive to keep after this year. Also I’d triple deep on the line and if a center fell I’d take them in the 3rd in this scenario so we can hopefully dump Jensen as well after this year. People worried about cap space? In that scenario you’ve just freed up $25m/year if your two picks pan out.
April 21st, 2020 at 4:19 pm
Jimmy
I can see where you’re coming from with the receiver in the first rd. I look at it this way, if the o-tackles, Simmons, brown, and kinlaw are gone and the Bucs can’t find a trade partner, I would be ok with a receiver.
It’s not the most ideal pick but shifting Godwin to the slot and paired with Evans (who by the way has hammy problems) would make for a nice 3 headed monster. They would have to forgo a 2-3 rd rb and go trenches on both sides after that.
I imagine the Bucs would look at the players that are cut during camp and such.
April 21st, 2020 at 4:39 pm
No
Chance
In
Helll