For those who think Arians can't use TEs.Cameron Giles wrote: ↑Thu May 23, 2019 8:49 pmI still feel like you're overthinking this. Arians isn't some restricter of TE's. If anything, his offense is super-friendly to big play talents who can also run a variety of routes. His three best players on offense: Evans, Godwin, Howard just so happen to be that. Howard is in a great, high upside situation right now. Not to mention, from a fantasy standpoint the Bucs project to be one of the most pass happy teams in the league. Their defense still blows chunks and they have zero running game.Pullo Vision wrote: ↑Thu May 23, 2019 4:21 pm He's not a straight up lottery ticket, but I could see him failing to reach his statistical ceiling with Arians. In a way, you could compare him to Landry- he produced well enough to be worth owning and starting, but there was real excitement over the idea of him leaving Tannehill and the coaching carousel at Miami so he could be used more downfield.
I don't envision Arians leaving soon (unless he retires again) so Howard's only prayer of truly flexing his muscles and being more than a mid range guy at his position could easily be leaving. Injury, target-share and role could all limit him. Given how many years before that he can leave, I'd rather flip that value into something else. That said, I wouldn't take a 2019 1st for him.
Howard's role isn't going to be challenged by anyone. He's the guy. Cameron Brate isn't that good and already lost heavy usage to Howard last year. He's the clear #2.
Also, keep this in mind (courtesy of Evan Silva):
* #Bucs TE OJ Howard avg'd 11+ yds per target in each of his first two NFL seasons
* In 2018, Howard was 1st in yard per reception (11.8)
* In 2018, Howard was 3rd in targets over 15+ from LOS (35%)
* Neither Kelce nor Ertz has ever reached 10 yds per target
* Kittle avg'd 10.1 yds per target last year with most TE yards of all time
* Gronk reached 11 yds per target once in 9-year career
There is no chance that Arians is watching tape of Howard running routes downfield and thinking "You know what? I should make him just a blocker and send that Cameron Brate guy out there to catch everything!"
Buy Howard (and Godwin) while you still can.
He made Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener relevant... you think he can't use OJ Howard?