NFL rumors: Here’s ‘the only way’ Bucs would consider O.J. Howard trade

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are unlikely to reach the NFL playoffs and must decide whether to become sellers before Tuesday's NFL trade deadline at 4 p.m. ET.

The most interesting trade candidate on the Bucs is tight end O.J. Howard. The former University of Alabama star hauled in 11 touchdown receptions over his first two pro seasons, but he has not been targeted enough in 2019. He's tallied 13 receptions for 176 yards and zero touchdowns on just 18 targets through six games this season.

What would it take to acquire Howard from the Buccaneers? ESPN's Jenna Laine provided the latest intel Monday:

Rumors continue to swirl around OJ Howard as a trade candidate. Two weeks ago I was told he wasn't available. I'm now told that the only way the Bucs consider trading him right now is for a substantial offer. Multiple teams have inquired. https://t.co/yiKTDuNqAK
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) October 28, 2019

Could the New England Patriots be interested in acquiring Howard before the trade deadline? Well, they reportedly already reached out to the Bucs earlier this season to talk about a possible Howard trade, but Tampa Bay wasn't interested. Howard himself seemed to enjoy the rumors involving he and the Patriots when asked about them last week:

#GoBucs OBucs TE O.J. Howard on reports that the Patriots wanted to trade for him but were turned down. "It's no secret I feel like I have a great talent, what I can do, mismatch, playing the tight end position. A lot of teams know that...It's awesome...I wasn't surprised at all
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) October 22, 2019

The Patriots would definitely benefit from additional tight end depth. Benjamin Watson started at the position Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, and even though he's played well since returning to New England, he's 38 years old and not the same kind of receiving threat as Howard. Behind Watson is Eric Tomlinson, who's more of a blocking tight end. Matt LaCosse (knee injury) and Ryan Izzo (concussion) were inactive for both of the Patriots' last two games.

The Patriots acquired wide receiver Mohamed Sanu in a trade with the Atlanta Falcons last week, but they still have plenty of draft pick capital to use in other trades before the deadline. Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer wrote Monday "that the market for tight ends has been fairly hot."