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Bucs select Alabama tight end O.J. Howard in the first round of NFL draft

 
O.J. Howard celebrates a touchdown reception during Alabama's loss to Clemson in the national championship game in Tampa. [ANDRES LEIVA | Times]
O.J. Howard celebrates a touchdown reception during Alabama's loss to Clemson in the national championship game in Tampa. [ANDRES LEIVA | Times]
Published April 28, 2017

The Bucs selected Alabama tight end O.J. Howard with their first-round pick in the NFL draft, No. 19 overall.

It's the first time the Bucs have ever taken a tight end in the first round.

General manager Jason Licht said it was a "pipe dream" that Howard would be around by the time the Bucs picked. He said the team's draft room was as excited as at any time since Tampa Bay drafted quarterback Jameis Winston in 2015.

"A nice late-night present we just got," echoed head coach Dirk Koetter.

Howard had 45 catches for 595 yards and three touchdowns in 2016. He finished his college career in Tampa, where Alabama lost to Clemson in the national title game.

He had a combined 9 catches for 314 yards and three touchdowns in the past two national championship games.

"He's played big in big games,'' Licht said, "and that's huge.''

Koetter said most NFL teams like to be in two-tight end personnel on first and second downs. Now, he can pair Howard with Cameron Brate, who tied for the league lead with eight touchdowns last season.

"I'm the first to admit I like tight ends," said Koetter, who had Tony Gonzalez in Atlanta and got a big year out of Marcedes Lewis with the Jaguars.

Howard, 6-feet-6, 251 pounds, ran the 40 in 4.51 seconds at the NFL combine. Pro Football Focus compares him to Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen.

Asked how Winston, who played with running back Dalvin Cook at Florida State, felt about the Howard pick, Licht said," I got a text from him with like a million smiley faces.''

Winston, for his part, tweeted "BamaBoy!!!! Welcome home @TheRealOJHoward #GreatDayinTampaBay''

Howard said he received a text from Winston as soon as he was drafted.

"He's a great quarterback, a good guy,'' Howard said. "I'm looking forward to playing with him."