O.J. Howard Thread

[moishetreats]

If you believe in Howard, then take him at 1.05 if that's what you have to do to get him. You don't want to draft a Sankey, Lee, etc. and be kicking yourself for the next decade (case in point: last year, I traded a 2nd-round pick and Blount to get an additional pick to obtain Henry; despite Blount's amazing season, I don't regret it for a second).

On the other hand, if you're drafting for value, then it's hard to defend the Howard selection at 1.05.

Ok, but what if he drafts the next Clive Walford at 1.05? Or the next Jace Amaro?

Any player picked could be the next Tomlinson or Richardson, OBJ or David Terrell. That doesn't scare me. If you think that Howard is the guy, then draft him.

[Pantherbro13]

Carolina will show interest. We had shown interest in Eifert and Henry in recent drafts so I wouldn't rule Howard out if Fournette (I do think he's the top option) is taken before 8. GM Dave Gettleman has already said he likes Howard, first prospect I've heard of him approve so far. If he lands here he could be a #2 TE for a few years (he's 22) until Olsen decides to retire. Say Olsen plays for 3 more Olsen and Shockey were a good combo in Cam's beginning of his career but Hartsock and Dickson haven't cut it as TE2 since. Adding Howard to the Panthers would give them an element they haven't had since Shockey left and would potentially give them the answer to life after Greg Olsen, who will be 32 this year. I could see Olsen playing until he is 35, which would help with a three year transition to OJ Howard. Not a bad complimentary piece to your offense if Fournette is not available.

If he lands here, long-term he's potentially worth the 1.5 but short term absolutely not.

ABSOLUTELY NO chance would we draft Howard with the 8th overall pick.

We showed interest in Eifert and Henry. We need a 2nd TE in the offense. He wouldn't be my first choice but he would be a huge upgrade to our offense. Gettleman has already said he likes Howard too.

[DynoScout]

Probably too rich for me at 1.05 but I really like Howard. Game theory/draft strategy push Howard down in most dynasty settings, but he's a baller.

[Cameron Giles]

If you believe in Howard, then take him at 1.05 if that's what you have to do to get him. You don't want to draft a Sankey, Lee, etc. and be kicking yourself for the next decade (case in point: last year, I traded a 2nd-round pick and Blount to get an additional pick to obtain Henry; despite Blount's amazing season, I don't regret it for a second).

On the other hand, if you're drafting for value, then it's hard to defend the Howard selection at 1.05.

Ok, but what if he drafts the next Clive Walford at 1.05? Or the next Jace Amaro?

It's possible, but Howard is on a much, much different talent level than either of those two. He's a big, athletic freak of a receiving threat and a great blocker.

Howard has the potential to be the best TE in the NFL. I honestly can't say that for any other TE in this class, though there are definitely some good ones.

[CAMVP]

Carolina will show interest. We had shown interest in Eifert and Henry in recent drafts so I wouldn't rule Howard out if Fournette (I do think he's the top option) is taken before 8. GM Dave Gettleman has already said he likes Howard, first prospect I've heard of him approve so far. If he lands here he could be a #2 TE for a few years (he's 22) until Olsen decides to retire. Say Olsen plays for 3 more Olsen and Shockey were a good combo in Cam's beginning of his career but Hartsock and Dickson haven't cut it as TE2 since. Adding Howard to the Panthers would give them an element they haven't had since Shockey left and would potentially give them the answer to life after Greg Olsen, who will be 32 this year. I could see Olsen playing until he is 35, which would help with a three year transition to OJ Howard. Not a bad complimentary piece to your offense if Fournette is not available.

If he lands here, long-term he's potentially worth the 1.5 but short term absolutely not.

ABSOLUTELY NO chance would we draft Howard with the 8th overall pick.

We showed interest in Eifert and Henry. We need a 2nd TE in the offense. He wouldn't be my first choice but he would be a huge upgrade to our offense. Gettleman has already said he likes Howard too.

Sure, he would absolutely be an upgrade. And Gettleman has said he likes him, but not at 8. Maybe if we move back, or if for some crazy reason he's there towards the end of 1 and we move up.

[Shaft4783]

i currently have the 1.7, 1.9 and 1.12 in one league, i plan on taking BPA at 7 and 9 ... is Howard worth taking at 12 if he's there? i have walker and think howard would be the perfect fit to sit behind walker till he rides off into the sunset or is 12 too early?

1.12 would be a great spot to get Howard. I have a few 1.12's myself and if he's still there will likely be my pick.

[Shaft4783]

Ebron should have never been taken in the 1st round by the Lions. It was a stupid pick then and it still is.

Howard >>>>>> Ebron coming out of college.

Ebron was a 3 star recruit, considered the 21st best TE prospect of his class.

Howard was a 5 star recruit, considered THE best TE prospect of his class.

[TB3falcons]

1.05 is possible if he lands in an awesome situation.

Tenn, NYG, TB, Oak, Dal and Arizona all seem like interesting spots.

Arizona is the worst place I can imagine for a TE. Arians has never featured a TE, probably be used more to block. And Palmer is getting long in the tooth...

[Jason3123]

I can't wait to clown all over the poor soul who takes Howard in the top 10 of our rookie draft.

[lukkynumber13]

I can't wait to clown all over the poor soul who takes Howard in the top 10 of our rookie draft.

X2

[Cherokee]

I can't wait to clown all over the poor soul who takes Howard in the top 10 of our rookie draft.
Not looking for a fight but who is the golden boy cant miss prospect you have at 1.10 through 1.12 that could help a team for as long as Howard?

[Jason3123]

I can't wait to clown all over the poor soul who takes Howard in the top 10 of our rookie draft.
Not looking for a fight but who is the golden boy cant miss prospect you have at 1.10 through 1.12 that could help a team for as long as Howard?

No worries about fighting, we all have our own values. My statement is based on tight ends alone, not necessarily Howard specifically, who I do think is being highly overrated. Tight ends in general are worthless. They are very replaceable, very inconsistent, and usually take several seasons to develop. Very few offenses in the NFL run through a tight end so they're also usually not even a main focal point of the offense. In my opinion, drafting a tight end in this draft that high, ahead of the RB's, and WR's, is a mistake.

Edit: I saw you asked for specific players. There are no can't miss prospects, so I can't give you any, but I certainly don't consider Howard anywhere near a can't miss prospect. In terms of rookies, at this stage of the process, looking at my list, I would prefer at least 8 running backs, and at least 7 receivers ahead of him specifically.

[Cherokee]

I can't wait to clown all over the poor soul who takes Howard in the top 10 of our rookie draft.
Not looking for a fight but who is the golden boy cant miss prospect you have at 1.10 through 1.12 that could help a team for as long as Howard?

No worries about fighting, we all have our own values. My statement is based on tight ends alone, not necessarily Howard specifically, who I do think is being highly overrated. Tight ends in general are worthless. They are very replaceable, very inconsistent, and usually take several seasons to develop. Very few offenses in the NFL run through a tight end so they're also usually not even a main focal point of the offense. In my opinion, drafting a tight end in this draft that high, ahead of the RB's, and WR's, is a mistake.

Edit: I saw you asked for specific players. There are no can't miss prospects, so I can't give you any, but I certainly don't consider Howard anywhere near a can't miss prospect. In terms of rookies, at this stage of the process, looking at my list, I would prefer at least 8 running backs, and at least 7 receivers ahead of him specifically.
Fair enough

[The.Big.Spank]

Howard at five is an stretch for me too. This class has several really good running backs. There are at least seven teams who will drafting a starting running back in the first three rounds or so. I would much rather have Minnesota, Carolina, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Philly, NYG, starting RB than a TE. (Oakland, Green Bay, Detroit, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore could also be shopping for one). How often do you get so many teams needing RB's in a draft where where there are so many to choose from?....And you take a TE at 5?

TE's seem to be a lot of 6 of one half dozen of another. If you are lucky enough to get one of the 4 difference makers that came out in the last twenty five years (Gonzalez, Gates, Wittin, Gronk and Graham) then you have a great advantage by totally dominating one of your starting spots by possibly 20 points per week which equals a lot of wins. Three years ago I went to a championship with a barely mediocre team because Graham was outscoring his opposite number by 20 per.

Finding THAT kind of Te is a lot more about luck. It's highly questionable to me that Howard comes into that category. He has had lapses. He is not a good run blocker. It improved a lot this year, but it was considered a weakness earlier. He does drop passes and has been criticized for taking plays off.

You also don't know how he will be used, but I doubt it will be the main receiver like the four TE's mentioned above. If he is not used in that way you wasted a 5 pick.

[Jason3123]

I highly advise you guys to not invest in a tight end with your first round rookie pick. Take a more valuable position. Unless you're playing TE premium, then it's understandable. But in a regular format please don't throw your pick away like that. Draft your tight end after 2-3 of your leaguemates have thrown away a draft pick.

2015
Maxx Williams/Clive Walford - lol

2014
10th overall pick: Eric Ebron - 3 seasons, no top 12 TE finishes.
ASJ/Jace Amaro basically out of the league.

2013
1st round pick Tyler Eifert - 4 seasons, 1 top 12 finish.
Zach Ertz - 4 seasons, TE 13-10-11 the last 3, 80% of his production in weeks 16-17 when you're checked out cause your team missed the ship cause you drafted a tight end high that gave you poop for 15 weeks.
Vance McDonald - Lol.
Gavin Escobar- Lol.
Kelce - 3rd round pick. AKA Jake Butt.
Jordan Reed - 3rd round pick, AKA Evan Engram. Also probably out of the league in 2-3 more years.

2012
Coby Fleener - 5 seasons, 2 top 12 finishes, everyone hates him.
Dwayne Allen - 5 seasons, no top 12 finishes

2011
Kyle Rudolph - 5 seasons, 2 top 12 finishes, off the map for 2 years.
Lance Kendricks - Sigh.

2010
Pick 21 - Jermaine Gresham - 7 seasons, 1 top 12 finish.
Rob Gronkowski - Good luck finding another one.
Tony Moeaki
Ed Dickson
Jimmy Graham
Aaron Hernandez - Whoops
Dennis Pitta



Just avoid the landmines guys. Take a tight end with your 3rd round pick. Don't be silly.