The Bills traded back with Tennesee Titans, collecting the 17th Overall Selection, a 3rd Round Selection in 2017. 17th Pick – Buffalo Bills (from Tennesee Titans) O.J. Howard – Tight End Alabama – Senior 6-6, 251 Pounds The tight end position is not your typical pick when you are doing a mock draft, but the dearth of talent at the position makes it very difficult to ignore. Last year, their weren’t any tight ends drafted in the first round, as teams have devalued the position.
O.J. Howard could begin to change the trend for the way we look at tight ends in the future, as he is a very solid in-line blocker, he squares up very well when being able to take on linebackers in the run game, and is the best “chipper” in the passing game. That’s not even talking about his receiving abilities, as he was probably more valued during Alabama’s run last year. A typical bail-out option for Jake Coker, he has been a top hands target. Howard would be coming into an ideal, yet very unlikable situation.
The Bills are going onto their next head coach after letting Rex Ryan go, so the next head coach (Anthony Lynn in my opinion) will have his hands full when developing his offensive schemes. O.J. will most likely be a back-up to Charles Clay, someone who can still make plays when asked to. It almost reminds me of the situation that San Diego has, as Hunter Henry was selected last year, but Antonio Gates is still the “man”. Whoever the quarterback is next year, they are going to love O.J. Howard, his athletic abilities, and his unrealistic size.