Let's talk about OJ Howard

[Diggs4]

A lot of our fans are high on him after the combine but I'm not even remotely sold. Maybe someone can help me understand ..

I've watched every youtube snap I can of him. Obviously we all know he is a a below average blocker.

Ok... so, we like him as a receiving threat, that's fine. But most of his big plays seem to be blown coverages.

Did he look good at the combine?yeah he did, but if we are looking for a guy who is a receiving threat (and needs to work on his blocking) , why go after that project in the first round ?

Why not wait for a guy like engram or Hodges, both great receivers who will need work on blocking.

Maybe I'm missing the plays that jump out and scream first round talent on howard. Paste me a link and a time stamp and I'll check it out..

[Sam_Z]

If he's there in the first round with the Broncos pick at number 20 I would say it's a no-brainer. Could be a tough decision to have to choose between him and Christian McCaffrey.

Which would you choose?

[FR Tim]

If he's there in the first round with the Broncos pick at number 20 I would say it's a no-brainer. Could be a tough decision to have to choose between him and Christian McCaffrey.

Which would you choose?

McCaffey. Every time.

Howard looks great, at times. Knock on him seems to be he is inconsistent. Throughout the season he had games he apparently had minimal impact. Not sure if that is attributed to effort or play calling. Just seems to be the weaknesses most discussed.. Also a really deep talented TE class. several scattered throughout the rounds that could have as much of an impact. No denying Howard's tape is impressive though.

I see the potential of having to choose between McCaffrey and Peppers at #20. Both versatile impact players. Both have tremendous upside on their side of the ball. Thrilled with either!

[Alaskajoe]

I'm confused. Are we talking about the same guy? OJ Howard of Alabama?

The guy hailed as one of the better all around TEs to come out in the last decade? Who is known for his in line blocking skills, along with his athletic ability? The same guy who has played with substandard qb play his career? The guy who went for 208 in the national championship game? He turned a TE screen into a 68yd gain? Blown coverages? First there is very little all 22 film or end zone angle film for anyone to follow him on his entire routes so it's hard to say about blown coverages or otherwise, but in almost every catch he is pulling away from dbs and lbs or having to have 3 or more pull him down. This guy is legit and sorry not sorry but there is absolutely no way that anyone who watches football can say otherwise and back it up

[Alaskajoe]

McCaffey. Every time.

Howard looks great, at times. Knock on him seems to be he is inconsistent. Throughout the season he had games he apparently had minimal impact. Not sure if that is attributed to effort or play calling. Just seems to be the weaknesses most discussed.. Also a really deep talented TE class. several scattered throughout the rounds that could have as much of an impact. No denying Howard's tape is impressive though.

I see the potential of having to choose between McCaffrey and Peppers at #20. Both versatile impact players. Both have tremendous upside on their side of the ball. Thrilled with either!

Play calling. Without a doubt. Sabin protected his qb as much as possible, which meant howard staying home and blocking

[Sam_Z]

McCaffey. Every time.

Howard looks great, at times. Knock on him seems to be he is inconsistent. Throughout the season he had games he apparently had minimal impact. Not sure if that is attributed to effort or play calling. Just seems to be the weaknesses most discussed.. Also a really deep talented TE class. several scattered throughout the rounds that could have as much of an impact. No denying Howard's tape is impressive though.

I see the potential of having to choose between McCaffrey and Peppers at #20. Both versatile impact players. Both have tremendous upside on their side of the ball. Thrilled with either!

Don't get me wrong McCaffrey's gonna be great and he's gonna be a difference maker and I'm going to venture to say that he's going to turn out to be even more talented than his father it however if I had to choose between him and OJ Howard I'm kind of leaning towards OJ Howard. In my opinion OJ Howard is going to be the in the top five tight ends in football in the next 3 to 5 years if not the best.

[FR Tim]

We are talking about a couple of players being considered at #20. Is there a bad choice?

I prefer McCaffrey. Some of you Howard. Its a preference not an insult to have a difference in opinions. And yes, Howard has some flaws. Some reports from Alabama proclaim he under performed considering the hype he came into the school with. His performances in the last two National Championships were stellar. But he was not that same player throughout the season. He also is an incredible athlete with huge potential.

Could easily see him as the selection by the Broncos. No issue with it.

Both have the potential to be impact players from day one. Both can be among the best of their positions over the next five years. I simply put McCaffrey over Howard IMO. McCafrey is a dynamic and versatile player that consistently contributes. I'm a biased USC/PAC 12 fan. There was a reason McCaffrey should have won the Heisman over Henry (if not for East Coast bias) due to his consistent production throughout the past two seasons.

Broncos adding either a Sproles /Edelman type or a J. Thomas / J. Graham type TE is a positive any way you look at it.

[shawinkerpoppin]

If he's there in the first round with the Broncos pick at number 20 I would say it's a no-brainer. Could be a tough decision to have to choose between him and Christian McCaffrey.

Which would you choose?

Neither. 3 of the only day 1 starting quality lineman may still be on the board at that time and that will be the only chance to pick them up. This draft is rich with tight ends and running backs and skill positions in general. Only way I wouldn't draft Robinson lamp or bolles is if foster dropped to 20.

[Gbt31]

I'm going with McCaffrey. Even if we do revamp our Oline, it is going to take AT LEAST six games to get in rythym and become a cohesive unit. With McCaffrey we draft an explosive playmaker, a player we can move around the field...slot, H back, RB...and make the Defense account for him and DT and ES. No matter what our Offensive Line is going to be weak next year...might as well take some pressure of them by eliminating blitzes by having to account for RBs receiving out of backfield.

[WYBRONCO]

Neither. 3 of the only day 1 starting quality lineman may still be on the board at that time and that will be the only chance to pick them up. This draft is rich with tight ends and running backs and skill positions in general. Only way I wouldn't draft Robinson lamp or bolles is if foster dropped to 20.

How about Jonathan Allen some website had him falling to like 18 or 19. I have no idea what I want at this point, Bolles seems old but really good. Robinson may be a project too. Lamp is likely a G which we may be able to get in FA then later in the draft but he is really good too.

[FlowdaBroncoFan]

There are multiple picks we could make at 20, and most are great picks. We could go in so many different directions. We could take Ross, McCaffrey, Robinson, Davis, Lamp, Tabor/Wilson, Howard, Brantley, McDowell, Foster, etc. I don't even know if there is a bad pick for us in round 1.

[15thebeast]

Howard looks like a great overall TE who has all pro potential while McCaffrey looks like a game changer who can play multiple positions I think it will come down to which Elway values more if he addresses the O-line and D-line in FA

[shawinkerpoppin]

How about Jonathan Allen some website had him falling to like 18 or 19. I have no idea what I want at this point, Bolles seems old but really good. Robinson may be a project too. Lamp is likely a G which we may be able to get in FA then later in the draft but he is really good too.

If Allen fell then its because the arthritis in his shoulders are a real concern I dont think its ever kept him off the field at Alabama but if that many teams passed on him because of a medical red flag then I would be cautious. High risk high reward.

But I think with all the teams that have line needs will be lucky to walk away with two of the top free agents this year and we will probably have to overpay for them. Rather hit the draft early than do another Stephenson signing where we sign a guy we know is gonna suck but he is all that's left.

[samparnell]

O.J. Howard most likely will be gone when Denver picks at #20. The only way Denver could get him is to trade up; way up. He is not known for his blocking from the tight spot on LOS, but is a very good receiver who has a lot of upside as one. As a prospective NFL TE, one would hope his blocking has upside, too.

Christian McCaffrey may very well be available to Denver at #20. He is a different kind of offensive skill guy, so comparing him to Howard is apples/oranges.

[BroncosIsLife]

Christian.

We can use his skill set in so many ways and we keep him out of New England.