Giants.com breaks down the predictions in the latest Mock Drafts:
Giants.com is in Indianapolis for the annual NFL Scouting Combine, a week-long job interview leading up to the 2017 NFL Draft for college football's best players. We've **gathered all the mock drafts to date** and looked at the players who have been projected to the Giants with the No. 23 pick.
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Based off these draft experts, this profile is on Alabama tight end O.J. Howard, who was included in Chad Reuter's mock draft on NFL.com.
COMBINE MEASUREMENTS & RESULTS
Height: 6-6
Weight: 251 lbs.
Arm length: 33 ¾"
Hands: 10"
40-yard dash: 4.51 sec.
Vertical jump: 30"
Broad jump: 121"
WHAT HE BRINGS TO THE TABLE
Howard will go down as one of the best tight ends in Crimson Tide history. He was named the Offensive MVP of the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship for his 208 yards and two touchdowns on just five receptions. In the rematch against Clemson a year later, he led all receivers in yards with 106 on four receptions with a career-long 68-yard touchdown catch. A native of Prattville, Ala., Howard was a five-star recruit and the No. 7 prospect nationally in the Rivals 100.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING AT THE COMBINE
"With Howard, he was underutilized at Alabama, I think we all saw that. He can put his hand in the ground and be an in-line guy. He can be on the wing and he can kick out in the slot. Watching him go up against linebackers and safeties at the Senior Bowl, it wasn't a competition. He's not an overwhelming blocker, but he can do enough to sustain. There's not a lot of holes in his game." – Dane Brugler, CBS Sports
WHAT O.J. IS SAYING AT THE COMBINE
"I have a lot of respect for the guys in the tight end class. We have a deep class, a lot of great talent. To be the first guy off the board would be a tremendous accomplishment. But I'm far from that. I have a lot of work to do."
NFL COMPARISONS
Julius Thomas, Greg Olsen
"A guy I'd compare myself to right now would be Greg Olsen of the Panthers," Howard said. "I think Greg does a great job of blocking. He's a guy, he's a three-down tight end. He runs great routes. He has great hands. He's a guy I studied a lot on film in college. So I would compare myself to him."
MIKE MAYOCK'S TOP 5 TE
1. O.J. Howard, Alabama
2. David Njoku, Miami
3. Evan Engram, Ole Miss
4. Jake Butt, Michigan
5. Gerald Everett, South Alabama
NFL.COM SCOUTING REPORT
Exceptionally gifted athlete. Has long arms and massive hands for his position. Tremendous acceleration into his routes. Has tools to torment defenses on second and third level. Play speed resembles a wide receiver's when the ball is in the air. Linebackers have no shot against him in space. Can turn a short throw into a long gain. Light on his feet and smooth out of his breaks. Easy separator who creates instant throwing windows when he hits the gas. Natural pass catcher who plucks it away from his body. Can adjust to poorly thrown balls and secure contested catches. Shows no lack of toughness over the middle. Can be lined up all over the field. Monster championship game in 2015 season revealed true potential. Has elite ceiling as playmaker. Lands his hands inside the frame as a blocker. Operates with wide base and attempts to snap hips into his block.
