Jaguars could sign these 4 free agents if they hire Byron Leftwich as HC

No. 2 Buccaneer who could follow Leftwich to the Jaguars – OJ Howard.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers aren’t hurting for weapons even though they released wide receiver Antonio Brown and Chris Godwin is out for the year with a torn ACL. They have some many that tight end O.J. Howard has been lost in the shuffle.

A first-round pick in 2017, Howard caught a combined 60 receptions for 997 yards with 11 touchdowns in his first two NFL seasons. However, he saw his playing time decrease when Bruce Arians became the head coach in 2019. The ascension of fellow tight end Cameron Brate and the later addition of Rob Gronkowski left Howard without many targets. Over the last three years, he’s amassed 59 catches for 740 yards and four touchdowns. It didn’t help that he missed most of the 2020 season with a ruptured Achilles but he’s fully healthy now and has suited up for every single game in 2021.

Howard has plenty of untapped potential and the Jaguars could sign him to compete with Dan Arnold for the starting job. James O’Shaughnessy is a fine role player and has stepped up when his name has been called but he’s set to become a free agent in 2022 and Howard would be an upgrade in Jacksonville’s tight end room. The fact that he’s a former first-round pick will make him an appealing option in free agency.

Spotract projects that Howard will sign a four-year contract worth $32.5 million in the offseason. His final asking price may be a bit higher or lower but he should definitely be on the Jags’ radar.