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O.J. Howard #80 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scores a landing in the course of the fourth quarter of an NFL recreation in opposition to the Buffalo Payments on October 22, 2017 at New Period Discipline in Orchard Park, New York.
If the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are severe about desirous to commerce away their beginning tight finish, the Inexperienced Bay Packers ought to be one of many first groups to present them a name.
In keeping with The Athletic’s Michael Lombardi, the Bucs are trying to commerce O.J. Howard and might be seeking to get a deal completed for his or her former first-round choose throughout the subsequent week. Howard caught 34 passes for 459 yards and a landing in 2019 however touts a three-year profession common of 15.5 yards per reception with a complete of 1,456 yards and 12 touchdowns to his title.
“I believe Howard’s received an ideal title, however I believe there’s an instinctive difficulty occurring,” Lombardi mentioned on the GM Shuffle podcast. “I believe he’s going to be obtainable. It could not shock me if he was traded on draft day or the day earlier than.”
The Packers are heading into the 2020 season in search of a brand new beginning tight finish after slicing ties with former starter Jimmy Graham this offseason. There are alternatives obtainable on their present roster, however choosing up a longtime participant with some confirmed playmaking means might assist present quarterback Aaron Rodgers with one other efficient passing goal.
The Bucs tried to commerce Howard finally season’s commerce deadline, searching for a second-round choose however discovering nobody prepared to present one up. As such, they may now be prepared to present him up for much less — perhaps a third- or fourth-rounder — in the event that they have been adamant about shifting on.
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What are Packers’ Present Choices at TE?
The Packers presently have 5 tight ends on their roster for subsequent season: Jace Sternberger, Robert Tonyan, Marcedes Lewis, Evan Baylis and James Looney. However every considered one of them comes with a level of uncertainty as a attainable starter.
Baylis has been nearly completely a practice-squad participant for the Packers since becoming a member of the group in December 2018, whereas Looney was transformed from a defensive lineman to tight finish late final season. Each might make an impression in coaching camp that earns them enjoying time, however the different three are the actual candidates for the job.
Sternberger, who was the Packers’ third-round choose final 12 months, appears to be the obvious alternative at this level. He missed a lot of his rookie season with an damage, however he did present potential to play a much bigger function shifting ahead with some impression performs within the postseason. The Packers have been excessive on his potential — together with a vote of confidence from the veteran Lewis — however that doesn’t assure him the job. Tonyan will undoubtedly push for the function as nicely, seeking to bounce again after his personal damage struggles pressured him to endure surgical procedure this offseason.
How A lot Would Howard Price?
If the Packers aren’t offered on any of their present choices, they may realistically surrender considered one of their draft picks to deliver him to Inexperienced Bay. A 3rd-round choose could be tougher to justify, however giving up something after the second spherical might make for a worthwhile funding.
Howard’s present contract — which runs by 2020 with a fifth-year possibility in 2021 — comes with a cap hit of about $3.5 million subsequent season, which might match into the Packers’ funds with some slight adjustment. He would fall roughly in the identical vary as a number of the free brokers they’ve introduced on this offseason, a bit of pricier than extensive receiver Devin Funchess ($2.27 million) however extra reasonably priced than linebacker Christian Kirksey ($4.13 million) and offensive deal with Ricky Wagner ($4.81 million).
The Packers have about $11 million in cap area remaining, however different expenditures have them presently estimated to be over the cap when it comes to spending. Nonetheless, there are many methods for them to release the required cap area with roster cuts, contract reworks or different strategies. Don’t neglect, they’d even have one much less draft choose to signal in the event that they despatched one away for Howard.
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