Report: Bucs have O.J. Howard on the trade block

Buccaneers tight end O.J. Howard has a lot of potential. His speed at the position always made him a threat against linebackers and was one of the biggest offensive weapons coming out of Alabama in the 2017 NFL Draft.

However, after many ups and downs on the field during his young career and not meeting high expectations, it appears the Bucs may be wanting to move on from him.

Via NBC Sports, the team is apparently looking to trade their former first round pick according to former NFL executive Michael Lombardi.

“I [got] a phone call … from somebody in the league who said, ‘Look, I don’t think Howard’s going to be on the [Buccaneers this season]. They’re trying to trade him,’ ” Lombardi said Wednesday on the “GM Shuffle” podcast.

“They wanted a second-round pick for him at the trading deadline (that) no one would give them. Howard’s got a great name, but I think there’s an instinctive issue going on. I think he’s going to be available. It would not surprise me if he was traded on draft day or the day before.”

There have been rumors that tight end Rob Gronkowski could be looking to join former New England Patriots teammate Tom Brady in Tampa Bay. NBC Sports suggests that if Howard were in fact dealt, the Patriots would be a team with heavy interest due to their need at the tight end position. Coincidence?

It seems like the smoke here is beginning to build. But is there a fire? Only time will tell.