Keeping It Heel
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2017 NFL Draft: North Carolina Tar Heels best fits

By Brandon Griffin

Dec 30, 2016; El Paso, TX, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive tackle Nazair Jones (90) pumping his team up before facing the Stanford Cardinal at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; El Paso, TX, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive tackle Nazair Jones (90) pumping his team up before facing the Stanford Cardinal at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 29, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Baylor Bears cornerback Xavien Howard (4) interferes with North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Bug Howard (84) on a pass play during the second half of a football game at Florida Citrus Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Baylor Bears cornerback Xavien Howard (4) interferes with North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Bug Howard (84) on a pass play during the second half of a football game at Florida Citrus Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Possession Receiver

Position: Wide Receiver

Measurements: 6-foot-4 and 1/8, 221 lbs

Last Season: Had 53 receptions for 827 yards and eight touchdowns.

What is needed: Howard is a big possession receiver. He is built in the mold of an Anquan Bolden. He needs a team that is young with an accurate quarterback that he can grow with.

Best Fits: Chicago Bears, Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins

Chicago Bears: The Bears are a good fit for several reasons. First, they just signed a young signal caller in Mike Glennon. Glennon is used to throwing to Mike Evans and would love Bug Howard. They also just lost their top receiver, Ashlon Jeffery, to Philadelphia in the off-season.

Howard would also be a good fit with Chicago’s other young receiver, Kevin Young, who along with Glennon, would form a good young core with running back Jordan Howard.

The Bears have the 147th pick in the middle of the fifth round. If they feel like that is too early, then they could trade down or trade up from the 221st pick to select Howard a little later.

Tennessee Titans: The Titans are a team on the rise. Last year, they missed the playoffs by just one game after losing their young quarterback, Marcus Mariotta, late in the season. They have a strong running game as well.

What the Titans need are more weapons. A player like Bug Howard would be a huge safety net for a player like Mariotta. Their leading receiver last season was a tight end. Howard would give Tennessee another guy that they could rely on.

Tennesee holds the 164th pick in the draft. That pick, or trading up from the 214th pick, might be a good time for the Titans to grab Howard.

Washington Redskins: The Redskins recently lost their top two wide outs. Though they did sign Terrell Pryor during the off-season, they could still use some more depth and play-makers if they are going to convince Kirk Cousins to stay another season.

Like Pierre Garson, Howard would be a player Cousins could rely on. His big frame would allow Cousins to get him the ball in tough situation and create a big target for touchdowns to go along with Jordan Reed.

Washington might try to grab Howard in the sixth round with the 201st overall pick. If they do, they’ll add to their depleted receiving corps with a talented player.

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