Leading up to the 2017 NFL Draft, we’ll take a closer look at 16 players mocked to the Ravens at pick No. 16.
Size: 6-foot-6, 251 pounds
Year: Senior
2016 Stats: 45 receptions, 595 yards, 3 touchdowns
Career Stats: 114 receptions, 1,726 yards, 7 touchdowns
40-yard dash: 4.51 seconds
Bench press: 22 reps
Vertical jump: 30 inches
Broad jump: 121 inches
3-cone drill: 6.85 seconds
Background:
Howard was the top tight end recruit in the country and stayed in his home state at Alabama. There, he started as a true freshman and became a low-target, big-play threat. He averaged 19.2 yards per catch as a freshman. In his junior and senior seasons, Howard became a more targeted part of the offense, though Alabama still leaned on its ground attack. He made big plays in each of the last NCAA national championship games. Howard was one of the standouts of the Senior Bowl, and it speaks to his competitiveness that he participated in the event.
Strengths:
“Exceptionally gifted athlete. Has long arms and massive hands for his position. Tremendous acceleration into his routes. Has tools to torment defenses on second and third level. Play speed resembles a wide receiver's when the ball is in the air. Linebackers have no shot against him in space. Can turn a short throw into a long gain. Light on his feet and smooth out of his breaks. Easy separator who creates instant throwing windows when he hits the gas. Natural pass catcher who plucks it away from his body. Can adjust to poorly thrown balls and secure contested catches. Shows no lack of toughness over the middle. Can be lined up all over the field. Monster championship game in 2015 season revealed true potential. Has elite ceiling as playmaker. Lands his hands inside the frame as a blocker. Operates with wide base and attempts to snap hips into his block.” – Lance Zierlein, NFL Media
Weaknesses:
“Underused as a pass-catcher in Alabama’s scheme. Can he live up to the hype at the next level? As good as he is on the front-side of outside zone runs, lacks the strength to consistently seal off edge defenders with front-side down-blocks on power runs. Doesn’t always take great angles when setting up for screen blocks when lined up out wide on wide receiver screens. Question his ability to quickly locate his assignment on pull blocks. At times relies too much on help with combo blocks. If help has to bail, he’s left in a bad position. Questionable ability in pass protection. Only allowed one pressure this season, but asked to stay in and block less (15.8 percent in 2016 vs. 20.2 in 2015) after surrendering six pressures on just 85 pass-blocking snaps in 2015. Will get overpowered by more explosive NFL edge defenders and may be susceptible to inside moves.” – Pro Football Focus
