Jaye

Howard

A pass rushing defensive tackle, Howard had a solid performance during the Senior Bowl and consistently disrupted the backfield in college. He has a solid closing burst to shoot gaps but Howard doesn’t have the strength to counter offensive linemen once in their grasp. His anchor is suspect as well. The Seahawks continue to add to their pass rush in this draft.

Seattle drafted Howard likely on suggestion from former DL coach Dan Quinn, now coordinator of the Florida Gators. A productive pass-rushing tackle, Howard tallied five sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss in 2011. It remains to be seen if he will play the three-technique behind Brandon Mebane or the five-technique behind Red Bryant.

Howard was the No. 114 overall pick in last year’s draft. He appeared in two games as a rookie but didn’t register on the stat sheet. Although the Seahawks are dealing with injuries up front, they still have plenty of depth.

The 114th overall pick in the 2012 draft, Howard got into only two games as a rookie. In Kansas City, he’ll compete for playing time at 3-4 defensive end.

Howard had been sidelined since Week 9. In the first season of a two-year, $12 million deal, Howard was playing about 66 percent of the Chiefs’ snaps. Howard is versatile, and his loss thins Kansas City’s depth, but he won’t be a crippling absence.

Howard has experience in a 3-4 system like Chicago’s coming from Kansas City, and the Bears completely spurned defensive line in their 2017 draft. Howard would compete with Mitch Unrein and Jonathan Bullard behind Akiem Hicks.

Howard missed most of 2016 with a hip injury after signing a two-year extension last offseason. The Chiefs owe Howard $2.5 million but are hoping to offset some of his guaranteed money if he signs with another team. With Howard gone, Allen Bailey will see a bigger role in base sets.

Howard was cut by the Chiefs 12 days ago. He signed a “two-year, $12 million deal” in March 2016, but was limited to eight games by injury last season. Howard was fairly productive in 2015. He’s a bounce-back flier for the Bears’ undermanned defensive line.

Howard has now been cut twice since April. The 28-year-old was hampered by a hip injury last year but earned positive grades as a run-stopper in 2015. He should land on his feet.

Howard is coming off a career year, posting 57 tackles and 5.5 sacks. He would cost $9.3 million under the transition tag and Kansas City would have the ability to match any long-term offers he gets. With Dontari Poe a free agent in 2017, the Chiefs need to get creative to keep Howard.