2017 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting What Could Happen in the First Round
24. Raiders: O.J. Howard, Tight End
Top Needs: TE, DE, ILB, CB
The Oakland Raiders have emerged as one of the most potent offenses in the NFL, but this is a shallow receiving corps. Oakland tight ends had the 11th-fewest Reception NEP per target, and the wide receivers were just 19th-best in the same metric. Alabama’s O.J. Howard fits this team really well and provides another target.
Howard is a gifted athlete with huge hands and long arms, and he moves well as both a receiver and blocker. He is a sure-handed pass-catcher in the short areas who can then take the ball for a big gain. Add a little more ferocity to his blocking, and he’s an all-around star.
The worrisome thing is Howard’s statistical profile; he was perpetually underused by the Crimson Tide. He has averaged 598.5 receiving yards and 2.5 touchdowns on 41.5 receptions over the last two seasons -- hardly an elite line. If he can meet his projection and surpass his production, he’ll be an incredible addition to this offense.
