The Pats have Tom Brady and an offensive line that can pass block. You take Howard, you're either asking him to help Jordan Mills with his pass blocking, while Clay is lined up as a receiver, or you're asking Clay to help Jordan Mills pass block while Howard is lined up as a receiver. In each case, you're either wasting the talent of a TE with a $9 million cap hit or you're wasting the talent of a TE you took 10th overall.