OJ-Howard Killing 2 birds with 1 stone

[Ace_Aladdin]

2016 was a season of  mishaps that exposed the Carolina's offense in multiple ways  whether due to injuries or scheme, the inablity to protect Cam or run blocking stalled the offense during crucial drives. The slow development of Funchess was also a major factor, he was supposed to be an outlet on 3rd downs & replacement for Cothery that could play X,Y,&Z but so far he has shown to be a limited player.  2017 will be a healthier season with majority of the OL coming back in form, but the LT still remains shaky and that alone can hold a team back in big moments when facing top end pass rushers. The cure for this problem that has been ailing the Panthers for several season is to give Shula the piece needed to run the 2 TE set.  

Although I have been on the Fournette train, there is a chance that he is taken before the 8th pick possibly by the Jaguars or Jets. My 2nd favorite canidate for the 8 th pick is an all around player that gives you versatility on offense. Howard is the top rated TE in this year's class  with great size at 6'-6" 255 lbs, speed and athleticism to become an immediate starter. To go along with the tangibles, OJ Howard is fundamentally sound player with crisp route running, great hands, & in-line blocking ability.

https://walterfootball.com/scoutingreport2017ojhoward.php

 

 

 

 

 

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Player Comparison: Greg Olsen. Like the scout quoted above said, the Olsen comparison holds merit. Olsen isn't a beast as a blocker, but he has turned himself into a serviceable player in that regard. Howard did the same at Alabama and has the upside to be a better blocker than Olsen as a pro. As a receiver, Howard could easily turn into a weapon like Olsen through the air. They are similar in size, speed and athleticism. Olsen was a late first-round pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, and Howard should go in the middle to back portion of the first round in 2017. 

Strengths: 

Fast 

Rare speed 

Supreme receiving tight end 

Mismatch nightmare 

Impressive yards-after-the-catch skills for a tight end 

Extremely athletic 

Generally sure-handed

Quick release off the line 

Superb body control 

Great catch radius 

Leaping ability 

Good route-running 

Improved blocker 

Phenomenal middle-seam tight end 

Too fast for linebackers 

Too big for safeties 

Red-zone weapon 

Three-down mismatch tight end 

Very versatile 

Athletic enough to play h-back 

Upside 

Uses size to make receptions downfield 

Adept at finding the soft spot in zone 

Works the middle seam well 

Tracks the ball well 

Quality run blocker 

Decent feet in pass protection 

Can sustain his blocks 

Hits blocks on the second level 

10-15 year starter if he stays healthy 

Experienced

Effective against good competition 

Strong 

Deceptive quickness, athleticism 

Quality hands 

Durable 

Ready to play immediately 

 

Weaknesses: 

Quality blocker, but not overpowering 

Generally good hands, but will drop an occasional pass

 

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Summary: A mismatch receiving tight end is one of the most desired offensive weapons across the NFL. With a legit combination of size and speed, tight ends are very difficult to defend in the middle portion of the field while providing third-down and red-zone weapons for their quarterbacks. If the tight end brings size and effectiveness as a blocker, they are even more lethal. Thus, a tight end like O.J. Howard borders on being prototypical for the position in terms of what the NFL is looking for in 2017.

 

 

[Cam's New Arm]

If we trade back, he's a weapon.

[uncfan888]

This dude has a super unhealthy obsession with tight ends

[Ace_Aladdin]

2 minutes ago, Promethean Forerunner said:

We're not drafting at #8.

Move on.

We are drafting him or Fournette depending on who is available.

Fournette > Howard 

Move along : ) 

[Ace_Aladdin]

1 minute ago, Promethean Forerunner said:

No, we're not.

He's not listed to go in the Top 15 in ANY mock draft worth mentioning. 

Stop.

Just shows your stupidity Bradberry wasn't supposed to be 2nd rounder  & Worley a 3rd rounder according to many people but thats what happened. Howard will be BPA for the Panthers if he is available at 8. 

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article128976694.html

 

 

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And as the team potentially could pick up the next generation of franchise tight end this year (the class is very strong), Gettleman also likes Alabama product O.J. Howard (disclaimer, everybody who wasn’t already wowed by Howard is now, as he has had a phenomenal week of practice both as a pass catcher and as a blocker). 

“Obviously the Alabama kid is interesting,” he said. “The O.J. Howard kid. You know, two years ago against Clemson, he had 3,000 yards receiving on two catches. He hasn’t disappointed. He’s got the strike zone to die for.”

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article128976694.html#storylink=cpy

 

[Ace_Aladdin]

8 minutes ago, uncfan888 said:

This dude has a super unhealthy obsession with tight ends

Its called team identity, & more ppl are obssesed with DEs & S.

[Kakarot]

I wouldn't mind getting him at 8. If he's the guy you want, you get him. OJ or Fournette and I'm happy

[Wundrbread33]

#1 we won't trade back. Not Gettleman's style.

I'm willing to bet if Howard lasts until the 2nd half of round 1, we trade up and get him.

We have the picks to make a move like this, he makes too much sense for our offense, and Gettleman values quality over quantity.

There are no guarantees in life, but I can almost guarantee we leave this draft with a TE, and I bet it will be Howard unless his combine convinces someone to take him in the top 15.


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[TheSpecialJuan]

2 minutes ago, Wundrbread33 said:

#1 we won't trade back. Not Gettleman's style.

I'm willing to bet if Howard lasts until the 2nd half of round 1, we trade up and get him.

We have the picks to make a move like this, he makes too much sense for our offense, and Gettleman values quality over quantity.

There are no guarantees in life, but I can almost guarantee we leave this draft with a TE, and I bet it will be Howard unless his combine convinces someone to take him in the top 15.


Sent from my iPhone using CarolinaHuddle

Yeah, I could see Gman trading back into 1st round.

[Waldo]

The Bad: We finally pick in the top 10 and there is no LT option, not even one fugging guy.

The Good: We don't need a QB. Sad times for those teams lol.

The Ugly: This place after months of over hype and Dave doing whatever the hell he wants and probably doing it well.

I like the dude. If he is the best player on OUR board, pull the trigger and move on to the next pick. 

[t96]

I really like Howard but not at 8. There are 8+ guys I'd rather take there and while I like Howard TE top 10 needs to be able to block in both the pass game and run game well enough to be a top 5 blocker at TE AND have the potential to be a threat in the receiving game up there with Kielce, Greg, Gronk, etc. Howard has the second part but his blocking is not great and likely never will be, similar to Greg. We need a Gronk-like blocker at TE. Especially with Greg being the main threat in the receiving game for the foreseeable future.

[t96]

9 minutes ago, TheSpecialJuan said:

Yeah, I could see Gman trading back into 1st round.

With how early our picks are in each round and how deep this draft is at positions of need I don't see a trade up before day 3. And no way we trade out of top 10, drop off from there is big and not worth whatever we'd get in return.

[Guest Lasus83]

Howard, Njoku and Leggett

I'll take any of these... but not at 8. We need a player that establishes an Identity. The motor and leadership of Barnett, the hard hitting of Adams or the smash your face in run style of Fournette.

One of those guys at 8... but not a TE that we can pick up on day 2

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[Ace_Aladdin]

6 minutes ago, thomas96 said:

I really like Howard but not at 8. There are 8+ guys I'd rather take there and while I like Howard TE top 10 needs to be able to block in both the pass game and run game well enough to be a top 5 blocker at TE AND have the potential to be a threat in the receiving game up there with Kielce, Greg, Gronk, etc. Howard has the second part but his blocking is not great and likely never will be, similar to Greg. We need a Gronk-like blocker at TE. Especially with Greg being the main threat in the receiving game for the foreseeable future.

His blocking is good maybe not Gronk like but its better than most TEs in several draft class & it will get better with experience & conditining.

I also believe that a lot of the defensive players are over hyped in the top 10 either its going to be Fournette or OJ howard  if 1-2 QBs get picked in top 5.