Is Ra’Zahn Howard Worth A Pick In The NFL Supplemental Draft?
The NFL Supplemental Draft is this week and the New York Giants have shown interest in Ra’Zahn Howard, a defensive tackle from Purdue. Is he worth sacrificing a pick in next year’s draft?
Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com ranked the New York Giants defensive line as the fourth strongest unit in the NFL based on “concept than reality.” A huge part of that concept, literally and figuratively, is the addition of Damon Harrison in free agency.
“Snacks” adds a massive presence next to Johnathan Hankins that should make up a strong pair of starting tackles. Harrison describes himself as the “best nose tackle in football” and should help improve the Giants’ run defense that allowed 4.4 yards-per-carry last season.
In 2014, Hankins was one of the very few DTs to rank in the top 10 as both a pass rusher and as a run defender – when he played an entire season alongside Jason Pierre-Paul. His production fell off a bit last season, but should bounce back in a big way next to Snacks and JPP.
The next man up should be Jay Bromley, the Giants third-round pick in 2014. NJ.com’s Jordan Raanan believes Bromley is poised for a breakout season as a pass rusher, where he has shown flashes in his first two NFL seasons. Raanan forecasts five sacks for Bromley as a part-time pass rusher this season.
Beyond the top three, there’s an open competition in training camp for the fourth, and likely final, DT spot on the roster. Vying for that spot are Montori Hughes, Melvin Lewis and Louis Nix. As far as roster projections as this point in the summer, the winner of the final spot is up in the air.
Will Jerry Reese look to add another player to that mix? There hasn’t been much buzz about a DT signing in free agency, but the NFL’s Supplemental Draft takes place on July 14. Of all the prospects, there’s one intriguing option that should be on Reese’s radar: New Jersey native Ra’Zahn Howard.
Howard is a 6’3”, 325-pound defensive tackle from Purdue, and Asbury Park High School, who left college for academic reasons. Last season with the Boilermakers, he notched 23 tackles and had one sack.
The Giants were one of several teams who attended his Pro Day last week along with the Miami Dolphins and the New England Patriots. According to Rob Rang of CBSSports.com, “Despite his less-than-awe-inspiring statistics, teams could be intrigued with Howard’s natural bulk and athleticism. He is surprisingly quick off the ball and uses an over-arm swim move effectively to penetrate the line of scrimmage.”
So, does Reese want an upgrade on Hughes, Lewis or Nix? And how badly does he want it? Basically, in the supplemental draft, interested teams place a bid – say a fifth-round draft pick – on a player in a silent auction and the highest bid wins the player. The team awarded the player would then lose that draft pick in next year’s draft.
Reese has historically been stingy with his draft picks, but all rules are off this offseason. He has historically not outspent every other team in the NFL on the first day of free agency, either.
Some big name players like Cris Carter, Bernie Kosar and Josh Gordon have been selected in the supplemental draft, but just one player was drafted last year. It may not be worth it to forfeit a draft pick for Howard when he could end up a free agent when the draft is over. This offseason has been full of surprises, however. If Reese isn’t successful this year, he may not be around to enjoy the next year’s draft picks.