Bucs Insider Fantasy Outlook 2017: Tight End

TE O.J. Howard

Current ADP: 10.9 (9th pick in the 10th round, 117th overall)

I’m as excited to see what O.J. Howard can do in the NFL just as much as anyone. But, right now, I’m just telling you, he’s being draft too high, and that includes being drafted before Cameron Brate.

Howard is the better blocker, the better athlete and has more potential overall than Brate does. But, that doesn’t change the fact that Howard is still a rookie getting used to the NFL, or the fact that Brate led the NFL in touchdowns for a tight end last season. That chemistry between Winston and Brate doesn’t just vanish, it’s still there, and is obviously more effective in practice. Howard has yet to take over Brate’s spot, or even play with the first team without Brate also in there. Until he does that, it’s silly to think he’ll have a better year.

Howard has been getting in on some trick plays and plays with two tight end sets. For example, he was the emphasis on a red zone play in practice where the whole offense moved one way on a play action, and Howard slipped the other way wide open for a score. He’ll get his looks like that in the red zone, but I just cant justify the prediction that he’s going to score more than Brate at this time.

As of right now – a pre-training camp article – you shouldn’t be drafting Howard where he’s going if it’s not some kind of keeper league.

TE Cam Brate

Current ADP: 13.8 (8th pick of the 13th round, 151st overall)

Brate was a sleeper tight end last year, and after having a great year for a tight end where he was second on the team in touchdowns, yards, targets and catches, it seems he’s being a sleeper pick yet again.

There’s not a lot of flash to Brate’s game, but that’s what truly makes him a security blanket for Winston. The chemistry the two have was evident last year with their eight touchdowns, and it appears to be just as strong this year in offseason practices.

Longterm, it’s Howard’s show, but in 2016, I expect Brate to outscore Howard.