TE O.J. Howard, Raiders (2 Viewers)

[Boston]

Good news for Knox.  It could have been Gronkowski.

Good point...Howard could cut in if he revives his career but Gronk would have really hurt him,  especially in the TE department where Knox was very solid last year.

 

[Faust]

The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia reports that TE O.J. Howard has not looked like a dynamic pass catcher at Bills minicamp.

Buscaglia notes that Howard's 6-foot-6, 250-pound frame stands out on the practice field, it's also evident that "his movement skills are well below what Knox brings to the table." Specifically, Howard's route running has jumped out: "Howard has not been quick in and out of his breaks, which could hamper his ability to deceive the defender and separate while running routes." Howard was an exceptional athlete coming out of Alabama, running a 4.51 40 at 251 pounds, with an elite 6.85 30-cone. However, he tore his Achilles in 2020, which has so far derailed his promise as a pass-catcher. Howard's blocking ability and size are enough to give him TD upside out of 12 personnel in goal line sets, but he appears to have a ways to go to eat into Dawson Knox's routes. 

RELATED: 

Dawson Knox

SOURCE: The Athletic

Jun 16, 2022, 10:20 AM ET

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Doesn't sound like Knox is going to miss a beat and Howard has been damaged goods since 2000. He looked so promising at times when he first entered the league and was drafted by the Bucs, just never worked out for him. 

'17-26/432/6TD

'18-34/565/5TD

Those were his first 2 seasons and his best to date.  

 

[TheWinz]

Doesn't sound like Knox is going to miss a beat and Howard has been damaged goods since 2000. He looked so promising at times when he first entered the league and was drafted by the Bucs, just never worked out for him. 

'17-26/432/6TD

'18-34/565/5TD

Those were his first 2 seasons and his best to date.  

Poor guy has sucked since he was in the first grade.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Poor guy has sucked since he was in the first grade.

2020, my bad

 

[Faust]

The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia reports that O.J. Howard could be a cut candidate for the Bills.​

Buscaglia writes that Howard "has allowed the competition to catch up to him with a disappointing camp." Both Quintin Morris and Tommy Sweeney saw snaps with Josh Allen in the Bills' preseason game against the Broncos; Howard did not. Releasing Howard would cost the Bills nearly $2 million in dead cap, so one would imagine that any ties would work in Howard's favor. At the same time, he appears to be legitimately on the roster bubble. In either case, Howard looks to be well off the fantasy radar. His uncertain status is a positive development for Dawson Knox, who looks set for a near every-snap role once again this season.
RELATED:

• Dawson Knox

SOURCE: The Athletic
Aug 25, 2022, 12:41 PM ET

 

[Faust]

Bills release tight end O.J. Howard after five months with team

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Bills release tight end O.J. Howard after five months with team

lol at those that thought this signing was bad for Knox.

 

[Grahamburn]

There was a preseason game where he had a nice 15ish yard catch and made a solid seal block on back to back plays. I remember thinking, “damn, wish the Bucs had him back.”

Weird.

 

[-OZ-]

I have rarely been this wrong about a player. Still would love to have him sign in Tennessee.

 

[Faust]

Tight end O.J. Howard visiting Bengals, expected to sign pending successful physical

 

[Faust]

Texans signed TE O.J. Howard.​

Howard couldn't crack the Bills' loaded 53-man roster, and the Bengals passed on an expected deal after claiming Devin Asiasi off waivers. Translation, it wasn't the most impressive summer for the 27-year-old, but he has landed in an extremely thin tight end group, one that just cut Jordan Akins. Second-year pro Brevin Jordan seems in line for a large snap share, but there isn't much standing between Howard and some legitimate playing time if the Texans are satisfied with his conditioning. Howard was reportedly "not quick" as a route runner in Bills camp. He is off the TE2 radar for the time being.
RELATED:

• Buffalo Bills

SOURCE: Adam Schefter on Twitter
Sep 1, 2022, 5:57 PM ET

 

[Mister CIA]

Well, well, well.

Week 1 waiver wire darling.

 

[(HULK)]

He's always had the ability. Was kinda surprised he couldn't make it happen in Buffalo.

 

[The Frankman]

no thread rename here either?

O.J. Howard caught 2-of-2 passes for 38 yards and two touchdowns in Houston's Week 1 tie against the Colts.​

Both touchdowns came on seam routes. The first was probably Davis Mills' best throw of the game, looped over an underneath defender perfectly. On the second, Colts LB Bobby Okereke got sucked up in a play-action fake, leaving Howard wide open. He's not a particularly good bet to sustain this level of fantasy success and won't be a recommended play against the Broncos in Week 2.
- NBCSportsEDGE

 

[grateful zed]

(fantasypros) O.J. Howard caught both of his targets for 38 yards and two touchdowns in Week 1 against the Colts.
Analysis: Howard was a late addition to the Texans' roster after he was released by the Bills. Howard's biggest question mark has always been can he stay healthy for a full season. If the 27-year-old can remain on the field, he has a chance to be a solid streaming option as he should see more snaps than Brevin Jordan.

 

[Tanner9919]

nope never believe in OJ Howard making a leap to being a half decent starting option. next week he'll be on everyone's cut list. just stay clear of this guy

 

[Faust]

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports free agent TE O.J. Howard is visiting with the Raiders.​

Darren Waller is now a Giant, and Foster Moreau remains a free agent, leaving the Raiders thin at the tight end position. It's unlikely the former first-round pick offers starting-caliber play at this point in his career, after posting a 24-280-3 receiving line over the last two seasons. Howard averaged over 485 yards per season during his first three years in the league, but a torn Achilles suffered in 2020 quickly derailed what was looking to be a promising career. Howard led all qualified tight ends with a 12.3 aDOT his rookie season, proving to be a legitimate downfield threat when healthy. However, we've yet to see anything close to that level of production since his injury.
RELATED:

• Las Vegas Raiders

SOURCE: Ian Rapoport on Twitter
Mar 20, 2023, 10:00 AM ET

 

[Ministry of Pain]

@JohnnyU

I think it should have already had a team name change once, didn't he sign with Buffalo last year?
I've giving you a C+ for organizational skills


I always liked his size and skill set when he was a part of the offense.
He was injured and then he disappeared

His picture on PFR shows Bills but they list him playing for the Texans last year.
Where do you go from the Houston Texans?...oh that's right, the Raiders

 

[beef]

What a scam this dude was.

 

[Grahamburn]

Still TB in the thread title. I thought they re-signed him!

 

[nightmare]

6'6" 250lbs. Looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane.

 

[-OZ-]

One of my biggest whiffs. Thought at the very least the guy would be a very good blocker and get the occasional key TD.

 

[Faust]

Raiders signed TE O.J. Howard, formerly of the Texans, to a contract.​

If not for a torn Achilles suffered in 2020, we could be talking about this signing with a bit more optimism. Instead, the Raiders signing Howard is a bit peculiar given that Foster Moreau -- who is fresh off a career year (33-420-2) -- is still floating around in free agency. Since returning from his Achilles injury, Howard has managed just 24 receptions for 280 yards and three touchdowns over the last two seasons and was cut by the Bills last offseason before landing with the Texans. Given his injury history and recent lack of production, it's hard to imagine entering next season as the Raiders' TE1. Even if he does win the starting job, there's little reason to view him as anything more than a low-end TE2 for fantasy purposes.
RELATED:

• Houston Texans

SOURCE: Ian Rapoport on Twitter
Mar 20, 2023, 3:11 PM ET