Making the case for Jets to draft tight end O.J. Howard

The New York Jets need a tight end heading into the 2017 NFL Draft as O.J. Howard is exactly what they need at the position.

It is no secret that the New York Jets need help at many positions. Building a winner requires a solid roster with several stud players who change the game. The Jets need help on both sides of the football.

The offensive line is a work in progress after losing both Ryan Clady and Nick Mangold to free agency. The secondary has been addressed with the signing of Morris Claiborne as a start. The quarterback position is totally up in the air. It’s time to draft a stud at a position the Jets have forgotten about. O.J. Howard, out of Alabama, is a freak of nature who’s presence on the field will change the game.

The 6’6″ 250-pound man-child will give the Jets something they have not had in decades; a thoroughbred tight end that can stretch the field and even help the offensive line as a good blocking tight end. In many ways, he reminds me of an offensive Jason Pierre-Paul. This addition would create matchup problems that could open up the running and passing game. Rome and the Jets were both not built in a day but taking the best athlete available is a great start.

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Howard would start the process of building an offense that would greatly help any young quarterback whether it be Christian Hackenberg, Bryce Petty or a draftee from this or next year’s crop. Howard possesses great hands and 4.51 40 speed. His other drills at the 2017 NFL Combine were also off the charts.

He was a man among boys in the last two championship games against Clemson. This demonstrates he can rise to the occasion in the big game.

Most teams fill their rosters with capable players but the very best teams always have game changers and game breakers on offense and or defense. The Jets have no one that fills that bill now.

Howard will give the Jets just such a weapon. If the Jets now improve their offensive line and get a game breaker wide out they can bring along a young quarterback and not get him lit up with a guy like Howard to either dump the ball off to or be a deep ball threat at the tight end position.