Cade Otton

Otton was firmly behind Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Rachaad White in the Buccaneers’ pecking order last season, finishing fourth on the team in both catches (47) and receiving yards (455), though only Evans (12 TDs) had more receiving scores than than Otton’s four. The tight end then came up big in the playoffs, catching 13 of 19 targets for 154 yards and a TD in two games. Tampa Bay is largely running it back with the same group of skill position players for Otton’s age-25 season, so there’s not much reason to expect a big jump in volume after Otton was targeted 65 times as a rookie in 2022 and then 67 times in 2023. He does at least have the security of a near-every-down role, as the Bucs waited until Round 7 to draft a tight end (Devin Culp) after using Otton on more than 90 percent of snaps in every game last season.

Otton, a fourth-round pick out of Washington, finished his rookie season with 42 catches for 391 yards and two touchdowns on 65 targets. He started 11 of the 16 games he played, and he's the clubhouse leader to start at tight end again in 2023 after the Buccaneers declined to bring in any pricey free agents or Day 1/2 draft picks at the position. Tom Brady bestowed 16 red-zone targets upon Otton last year – tied for fifth-most in the league – but the 6-foot-5 tight end scored only twice with all that volume. Whether it’s Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask under center this year, Otton will be no better than the third option in the passing game, clearly after star receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, and potentially behind WR Russell Gage and RB Rachaad White as well.

Otton is a potential heir apparent to Rob Gronkowski, who announced his retirement in June. The Washington product displayed potential as a pass-catching asset during his time with the Huskies, recording a 91-1,026-9 line in 31 games. Assuming Gronk stays retired, Otton has veterans Cameron Brate and Kyle Rudolph as competition for reps as a rookie, as O.J. Howard walked in free agency this offseason. With Chris Godwin projected to miss multiple games to open this season, Otton may have a chance to make an impact as the season progresses if he earns Tom Brady's trust, though the learning curve tends to be rough for rookie tight ends.