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Retrospective scouting report · Class of 2017Consensus #019
TE· Round 1

O.
J. Howard.

O. J. Howard
Sickos Grade
81.7/100
Pre-draft #19

Alabama official athletic logoAlabama· 6'6"· 251 lb· 4.51s 40

/ Recruiting profile
★★★★★stars.9916
National · #19HS class · 2013
Autauga Academy, AL
247Sports composite via CFBD
R1 · #19 · Tampa Bay Buccaneers
02Scheme fit
Ideal system

O. J. Howard is an ideal fit for a vertical West Coast or play-action heavy offense that prioritizes athletic tight ends in the passing game and as capable blockers.

Y-tight endflex H-backslot receiverin-line blocker
Best role

Howard can immediately contribute as a primary receiving option, stretching the seam vertically, and develop into a top-tier starting Y-tight end with All-Pro potential.

Wrong fit

He would be underutilized in a run-heavy, traditional power scheme that rarely targets the tight end downfield.

His rare combination of size, speed, and blocking prowess makes him a versatile weapon for any modern offense.

04The evaluation

Selected #19 overall in Round 1 of the 2017 NFL Draft by Tampa Bay Buccaneers out of Alabama.

07Athletic testing
Height
6'6"
Weight
251 lb
40 yd
4.51s
Vertical
30"
Broad
10'1"
3-cone
6.85s
Shuttle
4.16s
Bench
22
06Athletic profilevs. TE on Big Board
40VERTBRD3CSHTLBNCH

— — — positional median (p50)

40 yd
4.51sp50
Vertical
30inp50
Broad jump
121inp50
Three-cone
6.85sp50
Shuttle
4.16sp50
Bench
22repp50
08College production

No verified college season lines are available for this player from our statistical sources.

/ Usage share, 2016
5.3%of team plays
84 percentile at positionAlabama
Pass plays · 13.0%Run plays · 0.0%Third down · 6.2%Passing downs · 5.8%
CFBD usage — share of the offense's plays involving the player
10In hindsight

Everything above is the pre-draft evaluation. This section is what actually happened — updated year over year.

Pro Bowls
0
All-Pro
0
Seasons
6
Career AV
13

O. J. Howard started with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, winning a Super Bowl, but never fully reached his potential due to injuries and inconsistent usage. He has since played for the Texans, Bills, and Raiders.

Data note: No verified college season lines are available for this player from our statistical sources.

Draft Sickos · retrospective scouting profile