2017 NFL Mock Draft: NFL Conference Championship Edition

The Denver Broncos are going to be tempted to draft an offensive lineman in the first round, but there’s also a pretty glaring need at tight end heading into 2017. This year’s class of tight ends has the potential to be the best ever, and the Broncos have the opportunity with pick No. 20 to take the best one in this class in Alabama’s O.J. Howard.

Howard wasn’t a focal point of Alabama’s offense this season, catching just 45 passes for 595 yards and three touchdowns. However, whenever the ball was in his hands, you had a feeling that Howard was going to make an impressive play.

The Alabama tight ends stands out immediately as a mismatch in the passing game with his 6-foot-6, 242-pound frame. He needs to work on cleaning up his routes, but Howard moves well in open space and can be a tough guy to bring down.

Unlike a lot of tight ends in this class, Howard is also a more than capable blocker at the end of the line of scrimmage. He stays low and engaged with his defender to help open up rushing lanes, which is something that scouts love to see from their TE prospects.

Denver could wait on a tight end until the second or third round, but if Howard is still on the board at No. 20, the Broncos will have to think long and hard about picking him up.