When fans are asked to name a Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end, most would automatically name Rob Gronkowski. Though he spent most of his career with the New England Patriots, he joined Tom Brady in Tampa Bay for two seasons, and one of those ended up with the Bucs being Super Bowl Champions.
Gronk retired in 2022, and his replacement, Cade Otton, was promptly drafted with the 106th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. The 25-year-old Otton has caught six touchdown passes in two seasons, but Pewter Report said he has looked especially good at OTAs and training camp this summer.
Don't look now, but Mr. @CadeOtton has been on 🔥👀 pic.twitter.com/2ytPYIgw7D
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) August 7, 2024
Getting Otton more involved in the Bucs passing game benefits everyone, especially Baker Mayfield who can rely on him more if Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are covered. Mayfield played four seasons with the Cleveland Browns who always had a high-performing tight end; he is comfortable looking to the tight end to carry a heavier load.
Cade Otton refuses to go away 🤣🔥pic.twitter.com/8vujBeT7VB
— The Dynasty Grill (@FFDynastyGrill) June 22, 2024
Otton has averaged 66 targets and approximately 420 yards each season. The potential is there to expand his role in the offense if he continues to turn heads at training camp and in the preseason. Bucs insider Scott Smith openly wonders if he could have 50 catches this year.
Tight end Cade Otton has finished in the 40s in receptions each of his first two seasons. Can he crack 50 this year? Baker Mayfield is looking his way repeatedly in this team drill and Otton has caught two intermediate-range passes on routes breaking to the sideline.
— Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) August 7, 2024
