O.J. Howard is squarely on the New York Giants' radar in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

The Giants dedicated one of their individual player interviews with the Alabama top tight end prospect, according to sources close to the NY Daily News.

It's no surprise that the Giants met with Howard. All offseason, the Giants have been linked to some of the top tight end prospects in the 2017 NFL Draft class. This year's tight end class has a lot of talent -- specifically at the very top of the draft and in the middle rounds on Day 2.

This is arguably the best tight end class since Rob Gronkowski entered the NFL. The Giants have already been linked to projected first-round tight end David Njoku out of Miami. The Giants are reported to be "very high" on Njoku and they will need to see if his athleticism on tape carries over to the Combine. He will need to run in the 4.6 40-yard dash range to prove he can be a threat down the seam and on vertical routes. The Giants are also reportedly smitten with South Alabama tight end Gerald Everett -- one NFL insider said he is the Giants' tight end of choice.

Here's what top NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock had to say about Howard earlier this week.

"O.J. Howard is my No. 1 tight end. I don't think he gets to the end of the first round, but he's what they like," Mayock said when asked about the top tight ends by a Patriots reporter, via NJ Advanced Media. "He can block. He's a really good pass receiver, he comes out of that Alabama program that they respect."

Pro Football Focus graded out Howard as the best blocking tight end in the entire draft class. Has ability to seal the edge in the run game and make an impact on zone blocking plays is something the Giants have been missing since Martellus Bennett was last on the roster.

Howard fits the mold as size/speed freak with the upside to emerge as one of the elite players at his position. Howard stands 6-6 at 245 pounds and he is expected to run his 40-yard dash in the 4.5-4.6 range at the 2017 NFL Combine. Aside from his elite athleticism, Howard has soft hands and he's a willing and capable blocker.

Howard is the perfect fit for the Giants who desperately need an upgrade at tight end. 2016 starter Will Tye was overwhelmed on the edge, especially as a blocker. The Giants need an inline tight end option who can contribute in the run game as a blocker and in the pass game as both a receiver and blocker. Howard is the total package and it would be a dream pick if he fell into the Giants' laps at No. 23 overall.

Here's a look at what Howard is capable of on a simple tight end out route -- one the Giants used often over the past three seasons with Larry Donnell and Will Tye.

Starting to dig into the 2017 TEs and WRs. Guess I'll start with the best TE, O.J. Howard. The big man can run https://t.co/iwETUE4BVK — Tom Brolley (@FG_Brolley) March 2, 2017

Each NFL team is allowed up to 60 interviews at the Combine. The Giants will likely use up all 60. If you want a live running list of all the players the Giants have interviewed at the Combine so far, you'll find it right here.