Fansided
Fansided

NFL: One breakout star for each team in the 2018 season

By George Stockburger

KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 31: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes
KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 31: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
31 of 33
Next
ORCHARD PARK, NY – OCTOBER 22: O.J. Howard #80 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter of an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills on October 22, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY – OCTOBER 22: O.J. Howard #80 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter of an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills on October 22, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

. O.J. Howard. . team. 48. . TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

One of the top receivers in the 2017 NFL Draft, O.J. Howard going to Tampa Bay was a pick few expected, mainly because Howard wasn’t supposed to fall to the 19th pick. Many pegged Howard to go as high as sixth overall to the Jets, who instead took Jamal Adams.

Tight end became a luxury for Tampa Bay, but the league is using 12-personnel offenses so much that having two tight ends is imperative. Pairing Howard with Cameron Brate, who was coming off eight touchdowns in 2016, seemed like a great opportunity for Jameis Winston and the Bucs offense.

Howard showed flashes in 14 starts with two of his six touchdowns against Buffalo being the highlight of his season. The Alabama product saw his season cut short in week 14 when an ankle injury on a scoring play put him in a boot and on injured reserve.

Brate signed a team-friendly six-year, $40.8 million deal that allows him to be cut with no dead cap or penalties to the Buccaneers after this season. Tampa Bay would love to see both their young tight ends flourish and grow with Winston, but if Brate takes a step back, Howard could be the number one tight end by seasons end.

Home/NFL Hot Takes