2017 NFL Mock Draft: First-Round Projections after Week 8
By Tyler Brooke
Alabama. O.J. Howard. 21. player. 10. . TE
What’s wrong with the Houston Texans offense? You could point at a number of things, but one of the pieces really missing on that unit is an impact tight end. Current TE C.J. Fiedorowicz is making some plays, but the Texans could benefit from a potential Pro Bowl-caliber player at the position.
This year’s draft class has a handful of legitimately talented tight ends, including Alabama’s O.J. Howard. While his production hasn’t been outstanding with the Crimson Tide, Howard has still showcased his talents this season.
Howard presents a serious mismatch for opposing defenses, coming in at 6’6” and 251 pounds. He’s not the most polished route runner, but he’s still capable of making big plays when the ball is in his hands.
By having a tight end like Howard in the middle of the field, that should take a lot of pressure off of Will Fuller and DeAndre Hopkins on the outside. Hopefully that should help Brock Osweiler in his second season with Houston.