Former Buccaneers First-Round Pick Likely to Get Cut From Raiders

The former Buccaneer is facing the pressure of being cut for the second time in his career.

Kade Kimble | Jul 4, 2023

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A former Tampa Bay Buccaneers first-round pick is likely to get cut from the Las Vegas Raiders as training camp looms. Tight end O.J. Howard once had an incredible start to his young career with the Buccaneers, but is now facing being cut from his current squad in the Sin City.

Howard spent his first five seasons in Tampa Bay, racking up 1,737 receiving yards in that span and catching 15 touchdowns, with 11 of those coming in his first two seasons.

Last season, Howard played with the Houston Texans, appearing in 13 games, starting ten of them, and cashing in on two touchdowns. The 28-year-old then rolled into free agency before being signed by the Raiders within a week.

If the Raiders cut Howard, he'll be looking to land with a fourth different franchise since his departure from the Buccaneers following the 2021 season.

Austin Hooper is a player Howard will be battling in training camp, as the two players will be looking to replace a role once filled by Darren Waller, who was traded to the New York Giants.

Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox believes Howard will be amongst the cuts in training camp for the Raiders.

“After trading standout tight end Darren Waller to the New York Giants, the Las Vegas Raiders added veterans Austin Hooper and O.J. Howard to help replace him,” Knox wrote. “That was before they landed Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer in the second round.”

With Mayer coming to town, one of Hooper and Howard will be fighting for a backup role, as the Raiders will likely go young and start the rookie tight end.

For Howard, beating out Hooper and spending the rest of the season as a solid backup tight end and veteran presence may be his best chance at finding a starting role in the NFL again.

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Published Jul 4, 2023

KADE KIMBLE

Kade has been covering a wide variety of teams ranging from the NFL to the NBA and college athletics since joining Sports Illustrated's FanNation in 2022.