The Patriots and Buccaneers on Tuesday agreed to a trade that sent formerly retired tight end Rob Gronkowski and a seventh-round pick to Tampa Bay in exchange for a fourth-round selection. The move reunited Gronkowski with his former quarterback in his new home about a year after the tight end’s initial retirement. It also gave the Buccaneers a glut of talent at tight end with Gronkowski, Cameron Brate, and former first-round pick OJ Howard.
Tampa Bay’s altered tight end situation suddenly becomes intriguing for the 49ers – a team that pursued Austin Hooper in free agency before he signed a deal with the Browns that made him the highest-paid tight end in NFL history. It’s clear the 49ers are looking for an upgrade behind George Kittle, and the Bucs may be able to offer that without asking an exorbitant price.
Howard, 25, has been the subject of trade rumors since a disappointing start to his career. He’s a superb athlete and a very productive college player at Alabama, but that hasn’t quite translated into big-time NFL success. In 38 games, the three-year veteran has 94 catches, 1,456 yards and 12 touchdowns. His production isn’t likely to get better entering Year 4 with players like Brate and Gronkowski to split targets with.
San Francisco could certainly use a tight end with his skill set next to Kittle. He’s a good run blocker and has elite athleticism for his position. It’s easy to imagine the different ways 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan
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