I think the plan was probably for him to make the RW spot his own (as he's so clear of the competition), with him Isak and Barnes all being able to interchange and operate in either position.
He's been exceptional this season - his end product has gone from 0 to 100 pretty much. I think Howe has to take credit for him getting on the ball in the positions to do real damage, and also for moulding his character into something better than it had been previously.