NFL Draft 2017: 5 Biggest First Round Steals
By Joel W. Cade
48. . Tight End. Alabama. O.J. Howard. 1. player
The biggest steal in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft is far and away O.J. Howard. Howard’s production at the collegiate level combined with his potential as a receiving threat make him a very dangerous player. He may not be the best player in the draft, but he may end up being the most valuable player in the draft.
O.J. Howard was the cleanest player in the draft. He has excellent character and clean medicals. On top of that he blocks and plays receiver. He is easily one of the top five players in the draft except he does not play a premium position. Howard fell while other teams were taking quarterbacks and edge rushers. Had he played a premium position, Howard would have been taken very high.
Howard is a unique talent in that he blocks effectively as a Y tight end. He is one of the few players who effectively blocked Myles Garrett last season. His blocking skills are what makes him elite. He can play the F tight end as the mismatch receiver outside. He need to develop as a receiving tight end. But his speed and size make him an easy projection in that area.
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The combination of receiving and blocking make O.J. Howard a very dangerous tight end. He is a complete tight end, and at pick nineteen, O.J. Howard is the steal of the draft.