Buccaneers reportedly looking to deal O.J. Howard soon if possible

Once again, O.J. Howard’s name is being bantied about in trade rumors

Michael Lombardi of the Athletic was on the GM Shuffle Podcast recently and revealed that he was told by a league source that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were attempting to trade O.J. Howard. He added that he wouldn’t be surprised if Howard were gone in the next week.

The Bucs have been for a long time victims to the highest drafted player not working out or high expectations of a free agent signing not living up to the hype. Whether it’s Keith McCants, or Alvin Harper of Frostproof, Eric Curry, Regan Upshaw, Roberto Aguayo, Vernon Hargraves, or yes, even O.J. Howard. Time after time, we have been the victim of bad decisions in the first round of the NFL Draft. Like many before him, Howard had a few glimpses of potential in his first couple of seasons. Both times his year was cut short by injury. Last year with Bruce Arians’ offense coming to town, the expectations were never higher. Certainly, this would be the year he would stay healthy, and make the big splash we had all been waiting on. Once again, that potential stayed right where it has been staying, in fans, and coaches imagination.

2019 became another disappointing season for Howard

Howard finished with 34 receptions, for 459 yards, and only one touchdown. It should be said here that the tight-end position as a whole received little attention in 2019. Had Howard been achieving separation from his defenders, I’m sure it may have been quite different. It was not to be for Howard in 2019, and it appears the young Alabama product will be trying to get his career back on track for another team, maybe soon.

This could go either way for Tampa

I can see this move going either way for us. He could blossom into the beast we all thought he could be, or he could easily continue to come up short in his production. If we could get a decent pick for him, the Bucs could easily make that draft pick count this time. Then it wouldn’t matter how well he may or may not play for another team. We could fill an actual need, instead of a glut at tight end. Surely the team that steps up for him will throw the ball to him more than the Bucs did in 2019. So he will get his chance to shine. It’s all up to him. I think this is a smart move by Tampa if they can get something out of it. It has been rumored there has been a second-round pick offered, but all that will come out eventually. Brate is still under contract and can handle being the number one no problem.

Filling the last few spots to cement this team

Teams rumored to be in the hunt are the Redskins, Patriots, and the Dolphins, just to name a few. Nothing concrete, of course, that will all play out in time, and it could be sooner than later. Now that we are close to being a completely solid team, the draft choice we get for Howard if it goes down could help add the last few pieces of the puzzle. let’s hope so, Go Bucs!!