{"id":73002,"date":"2019-09-14T09:33:28","date_gmt":"2019-09-14T13:33:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=73002"},"modified":"2019-09-14T09:40:29","modified_gmt":"2019-09-14T13:40:29","slug":"new-england-patriots-should-trade-for-o-j-howard","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2019\/09\/14\/new-england-patriots-should-trade-for-o-j-howard\/","title":{"rendered":"New England Patriots Should Trade for O.J. Howard"},"content":{"rendered":"

O.J. Howard<\/a><\/strong> is one of the most talented tight ends in the NFL, and he\u2019s going to waste on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/a>. First-year head coach Bruce Arians<\/strong> never utilized tight ends at any of his previous coaching destinations, and that hasn\u2019t changed in Tampa Bay. While Howard\u2019s snap count is higher than it was last year, he\u2019s running routes at a lower rate<\/a> than in 2018. Howard isn\u2019t made for Arians\u2019 scheme, and the Patriots should trade to acquire the talented tight end.<\/p>\n

O.J. Howard A Perfect Trade Target for New England Patriots<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The New England Patriots already have a ridiculous amount of offensive weapons. Between Josh Gordon<\/a>, Julian Edelman<\/a>, Antonio Brown<\/a><\/strong>, James White<\/a><\/strong>, and Tom Brady<\/a><\/strong>, this should be one of the top offenses in all of football. While New England doesn\u2019t necessarily need Howard right now, he\u2019d make the offense better while providing additional security in the offense.<\/p>\n

New England’s wide receivers and running backs are fantastic, but the tight ends are fairly unremarkable. Ryan Izzo<\/a><\/strong> is the only healthy tight end on the roster, and he\u2019s more of a blocker than a receiver. While he\u2019s certainly good at his job, nobody is gameplanning against Ryan Izzo. Adding Howard to the mix provides yet another elite weapon for the offense. Put simply, nobody can stop Brown, Gordon, Edelman, Howard, and White, especially when the quarterback is Tom Brady.<\/p>\n

Additionally, Howard could provide additional security in case injury strikes. While the wide receiver depth chart is loaded, each player carries an advanced risk. Josh Gordon has a long history of substance abuse and is one mistake away from an indefinite suspension. Antonio Brown faces a sexual assault suit<\/a> and could go on the Commissioner\u2019s Exempt list after Roger Goodell<\/strong> meets with Brown\u2019s accuser. Julian Edelman, meanwhile, has only played a full 16-game season twice in his 11-year career.<\/p>\n

While it is unlikely, it’s possible that all three players miss significant time this year. Howard has some injury woes of his own, but he\u2019s a game-changing talent when on the field. Tom Brady is 42 years old, and he probably can\u2019t play forever. New England\u2019s top priority should be surrounding Brady with as much talent as possible for the remainder of his career.<\/p>\n

What to Give Up<\/h3>\n

Acquiring O.J. Howard probably means the Patriots would have to forfeit their 2020 first-round pick. While that\u2019s a steep price to pay, Howard is worth the investment. There aren\u2019t many great tight ends in today\u2019s NFL, and Howard is one of them. Howard won\u2019t hit free agency until after the 2021 season, assuming New England utilizes the fifth-year option on his contract, so this trade wouldn\u2019t be a rental. Additionally, the Patriots have an abundance of draft picks and can afford to give up their first-round pick.<\/p>\n

As of this posting, the Patriots are projected to receive<\/a> 12 picks in the 2020 NFL Draft, including five in the first three rounds. New England has one of the best rosters in the league and will probably pick towards the end of the first round in the upcoming draft. They have enough draft capital to give away a first-round pick for an established veteran, especially when that player is more talented than anyone who would probably be available at the end of the first.<\/p>\n

The Patriots already have arguably the most talented roster in the league, and adding O.J. Howard would turn one of New England\u2019s few weaknesses into a major strength. There is no such thing as being too talented, and adding Howard would only increase New England\u2019s odds of winning consecutive championships for the first time since 2004.<\/p>\n

Main photo:
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>