Is OJ Howard worth picking at 10?

[Oaf]

I could go either way on it. Thoughts?

[YardRat]

Re: Is OJ Howard worth picking at 10?

I hope so, and I hope Tampa Bay wants him bad enough to move up into our spot at ten and float us a couple of picks to do so.

[kgun12]

Re: Is OJ Howard worth picking at 10?

I think I'd be happier with Howard then Williams. I don't know why, I just don't want Williams.

[BillsImpossible]

Re: Is OJ Howard worth picking at 10?

Excellent blocker, would give the Bills a powerful 2 TE set. Underutilized by Alabama in the passing game.

6'6 251 lbs. It's like drafting a lineman and a TE too. Howard would instantly give the Bills offense an identity.

Double Tight Ends, Fullback, RB, 2 WR set....but.

That's the other thing I like about OJ Howard, he could be a #2 WR.

This Draft Analysis at NFL.com makes Howard sound more like a potential WR to me...

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/profiles/o.j.-howard?id=2557856

Kind of an arcane analysis, but interesting read.

Some scouts are questioning his "competitive nature." Don't know if has the "desire" to play football.

Maybe he knew that his talents were being used the wrong way at Alabama...maybe he is a #2 WR?

STRENGTHS

Exceptionally gifted athlete. Has long arms and massive hands for his position. Tremendous acceleration into his routes. Has tools to torment defenses on second and third level. Play speed resembles a wide receiver's when the ball is in the air. Linebackers have no shot against him in space. Can turn a short throw into a long gain. Light on his feet and smooth out of his breaks. Easy separator who creates instant throwing windows when he hits the gas. Natural pass catcher who plucks it away from his body. Can adjust to poorly thrown balls and secure contested catches. Shows no lack of toughness over the middle.

[EDS]

Re: Is OJ Howard worth picking at 10?

Given the dearth of depth and starting caliber talent at linebacker and in the defensive backfield I don't see how you can pass on available talent at those positions versus an offensive player sure to be underutilized.

[cookie G]

Re: Is OJ Howard worth picking at 10?

Mike Lombardi sums it up pretty well:

I believe that tight ends act like knights on a chessboard. They don’t have as much value as queens or rooks, and they become less effective near the edges of the board. But in the middle? They can do serious damage. Howard is one of the purest tight ends in recent drafts: He can line up on the line, block the edge, and catch passes. In chess, he’s a knight. In football, he’s known as a “Y.” When teams have a pure Y on the line and flank him with a second inside receiver — a bigger guy like Washington’s Jordan Reed — that allows them to launch “12” personnel (one back, two tight ends) and create mismatches everywhere.

You might remember the Patriots wanting to do this with Gronk and Martellus Bennett last year, but they couldn’t keep Gronk on the field. In 12 with a pure Y like Gronk or Howard, the defense has to respect the run; that forces the team to play its base defense, opening everything up for the second big receiver (Bennett, Reed, whomever). Howard is better than every 2017 offensive prospect because of how much better he makes his teammates. I hate hearing crap like “You can’t draft a tight end in the top 10.” That’s nonsense. True Y’s like Howard are almost impossible to find. If they did the 2010 draft over again, would Gronk go in the top 10? I rest my case.

https://theringer.com/2017-nfl-draft-top-prospects-leonard-fournette-deshaun-watson-302c5ae6434c

[Mace]

Re: Is OJ Howard worth picking at 10?

Mike Lombardi sums it up pretty well:

I believe that tight ends act like knights on a chessboard. They don’t have as much value as queens or rooks, and they become less effective near the edges of the board. But in the middle? They can do serious damage. Howard is one of the purest tight ends in recent drafts: He can line up on the line, block the edge, and catch passes. In chess, he’s a knight. In football, he’s known as a “Y.” When teams have a pure Y on the line and flank him with a second inside receiver — a bigger guy like Washington’s Jordan Reed — that allows them to launch “12” personnel (one back, two tight ends) and create mismatches everywhere.

You might remember the Patriots wanting to do this with Gronk and Martellus Bennett last year, but they couldn’t keep Gronk on the field. In 12 with a pure Y like Gronk or Howard, the defense has to respect the run; that forces the team to play its base defense, opening everything up for the second big receiver (Bennett, Reed, whomever). Howard is better than every 2017 offensive prospect because of how much better he makes his teammates. I hate hearing crap like “You can’t draft a tight end in the top 10.” That’s nonsense. True Y’s like Howard are almost impossible to find. If they did the 2010 draft over again, would Gronk go in the top 10? I rest my case.

https://theringer.com/2017-nfl-draft...n-302c5ae6434c

If you have a QB to utilize it, in an offense meant for it. Just saying.

[BillsImpossible]

Re: Is OJ Howard worth picking at 10?

If you have a QB to utilize it, in an offense meant for it. Just saying.

Can Tyrod Taylor play in high heel stiletto cleats?

[Mace]

Re: Is OJ Howard worth picking at 10?

Can Tyrod Taylor play in high heel stiletto cleats?

Absolutely. I read it somewhere but can't find the link.

[cookie G]

Re: Is OJ Howard worth picking at 10?

If you have a QB to utilize it, in an offense meant for it. Just saying.

Well, you're not getting a QB either when you keep drafting cornerbacks. Just saying.

[BillsImpossible]

Re: Is OJ Howard worth picking at 10?

To be fair to Tyrod Taylor, I did find a link that is quite interesting.

Something beyond hope.

Give Tyrod a new shiny toy in OJ Howard, Doug. You went all out on Sammy to prop up EJ Manuel, so why not go all in on Tyrod too?

http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2016/12/21/14038058/tyrod-taylor-bills-2016-in-the-pocket-passing-statistics-will-probably-surprise-you

As you can probably imagine, the majority of the guesses pegged Tyrod as a much worse quarterback when passing from inside the pocket.
However, the statistics say he’s actually been productive and efficient in the most “traditional” element of playing quarterback during the 2016 season.

[Turf]

Re: Is OJ Howard worth picking at 10?

No way I take a TE this early.

[Scumbag College]

Re: Is OJ Howard worth picking at 10?

I think that Howard would give the Bills the most immediate chance to "win now" than any other player in the draft. LBs and CBs will be there in the second and third rounds, but Howard seems to be a special player and can make the Bills offense a tough team to matchup against.

[Oaf]

Re: Is OJ Howard worth picking at 10?

I think I'd be happier with Howard then Williams. I don't know why, I just don't want Williams.

Same, I don't know why…

[Luisito23]

Re: Is OJ Howard worth picking at 10?

I wish, but he won't make it to 10.

Guy's a monster though, so let's hope he slides.