The Redskins need a quality tight end more than any other team in the National Football League.
O.J. Howard fills that void.
The Redskins' offseason has been relatively underwhelming on the offensive side of the ball.
Amari Cooper took less money to return to the Cowboys. The team whiffed on Austin Hooper, who joined the Browns. Jordan Reed and Paul Richardson were waived, and to replace them, the team signed Richard Rodgers, Logan Thomas, and Cody Latimer.
These additions are great for depth, but none of them move the needle. The Redskins need to add weapons around Dwayne Haskins.
Terry McLaurin (919 yards, 7 TD in 2019) is a terrific foundational piece, but the Burgundy and Gold need more than just him.
Haskins struggled in his rookie season (1,365 yards, 7 TD/ 7 INT), and while adjusting to the pro game can be a process for young signal-callers, giving him weapons outside will only help him.
The Buccaneers made a splash Tuesday, reuniting Tom Brady with his favorite target, Rob Gronkowski. The Patriots sent Gronkowski and a seventh-round pick in this week's draft to Tampa in exchange for a fourth-round pick. Gronk's arrival in Tampa assuredly implies that the former first-round pick Howard is now available on the trade block.
While some predicted Howard would be included in the swap, the Patriots instead preferred the fourth-round draft pick, implying Howard's price has fallen.
The 25-year-old has the potential to be one of the most physically dominant tight ends in the game, but his tenure in Florida hasn't gone according to plan.
The Bucs selected him 19th overall in the 2017 NFL Draft out of the University of Alabama.
Howard (6-6., 250lbs) has never been a focal point in the Bucs offense. Through his first three seasons, he has been targeted only 140 times, hauling in 94 catches for 1,456 yards and 12 touchdowns.
While many thought the arrival of Bruce Arians would signal an upward shift in Howard's usage in 2019, the erratic play of then-QB Jameis Winston prevented Howard from increasing his role in the offense.
Brady's arrival last month turned the Bucs into Super Bowl contenders in 2020, but it is now clear that Howard is not in the team's long-term plans. The Redskins need to add him to theirs.
The depth at tight end includes the aforementioned Rodgers and Thomas, as well as Jeremy Sprinkle and Hale Hentges. Bringing Howard aboard would make him the de facto starter on Day 1.
Howard gives Haskins an additional red zone threat, as well as an exceptional blocker in pass protection.
The Redskins have the assets to get a deal done. They need to act before its too late.
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