Rookie tight ends often struggle to make an impact for their teams, at least in the passing game. Even powerhouse Rob Gronkowski managed just 42 catches for 542 yards as a rookie, and he played a full season for one of only two times in his career.
That’s why the Tampa Bay Buccaneers perhaps shouldn’t expect too many gaudy numbers from Howard as a rookie, especially with all of the other weapons the Bucs have. But Howard will get on the field plenty of times, especially as a run-blocker—that, at least, is what head coach Dirk Koetter said today.