Howard, Njoku best chance to buck fantasy rookie TE trend
Leading up to the NFL Draft April 27, Liz Loza and Brad Evans will examine the field and exploit weaknesses as they address questions regarding this year’s most talked-about talents. Today’s “Three-Point Stance” focus: Alabama TE O.J. Howard and Miami TE David Njoku
Draftniks web-wide appear to be in agreement about O.J. Howard’s play-making ability, ranking him as the consensus No. 1 player at the TE position. What makes the Alabama product so special? Any red flags?
Liz – He’s an athletic freak with a massive wingspan and 10” mitts. A versatile talent who can be used all over the field, Howard has incredible receiving ability. Fluid and fast in space, the 6-foot-6 and 250 pound TE can track AND catch the ball.
Admittedly, Howard needs to work on his blocking, particularly in the run game. He’s also unproven in pass protection. And, sure, his frame could be enhanced by some additional muscle mass. Ultimately, however, the Alabama native is so much more than a lumbering red zone target. He has the skills to move the chains, using impressive speed and agility to skirt past defenders. I’d be shocked if he isn’t a top-ten selection.
Brad – Imagine the Jolly Green Giant with the same burst and long-range speed of Leonard Fournette. That, my fellow fantasy friends, is Howard. People with his athleticism shouldn’t be classified as human. Because of his unusual abilities, he should gash zone defenses and break off numerous double-digit seam gains right away. However, underutilized as a pass-catcher at Alabama, he’s far from a finished product. Once he adds branches to the route tree, especially on intermediate plays, he should deliver top-five fantasy results. Consistent dividends, though, probably won’t happen immediately.
Howard’s fantasy expectations this fall need to be tempered. Recall, this century just five tight ends – Jeremy Shockey, Rob Gronkowski, John Carlson, Aaron Hernandez and Hunter Henry – delivered top-12 TE numbers in their inaugural seasons. And of that bunch, Shockey, Gronk and Carlson were the only ones to crack the top-10. Advancing through NFL puberty typically takes 2-3 years at the position.
Howard has been linked to numerous NFL teams. Where do you think he’ll land? What kind of fantasy damage could he do in year one?
Liz – Tennessee? The Jets? Carolina? As a player who’s been frequently comped to Greg Olsen, it would be fun to see him go to the Panthers. Understanding, however, that TEs rarely produce in their rookie efforts, I don’t think that he offers much appeal in redraft leagues.
But… if a vet (like Walker or Olsen) were to go down, Howard has the athletic tools necessary to step in. Assuming he’s on the field in Week 1, it’s not inconceivable to see him put up a 25-280-3 stat line.
Brad – As Liz discussed above, several teams with picks inside the first half of Round 1 are appealing destinations. Ideally, the Jets would yield the most instant gratification. Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Braedon Bowman aren’t exactly the stiffest competition. Howard and Josh McCown could build a bubbly chemistry, though Eric Decker’s presence inside the red zone would hinder the tight end’s TD potential. In New York, think a final Year 1 line around 40-500-5.
While the aforementioned Howard has received the most media attention, Miami standout David Njoku is also a formidable talent. Which of the Hurricanes’ traits stand out the most to you? Which current NFL player does he remind you of?
Liz – A former high school receiver and high jump champion, Njoku is an explosive and gutty player. He uses his size and speed to out-maneuver defenders and win at the catch point. An acrobat near the goal line, he’s been compared to Jordan Reed.
While Njoku’s athletic profile is brimming with upside, he’s still a raw prospect who lacks experience. He’s also struggled with drops, amassing eight oopses over the last two seasons. Assuming he can shore up his blocking and learn the finer nuances of the position, however, there’s a solid chance of him becoming a playmaker at the next level.
Brad – Just call Miami tight end U. Shockey, Kellen Winslow, Greg Olsen, Jimmy Graham … the university cranks out plus-sized menaces. The ladder-climbing Njoku is the Canes’ latest prodigy. He high-points beautifully, slices and dices zones, exhibits excellent footwork and bulls his way through contact in the open field. Like Howard he’s far from a finished product, but it’s no wonder why his draft stock has skyrocketed in recent weeks.
Many comp him to Reed or Olsen, but there’s some Kelvin Benjamin to his game. It’s doubtful he’ll be starter-worthy material Week 1, but as the season progresses I could see his role growing rapidly. He would look tremendous in Silver and Black.
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